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Class 'Pi\l'ZS\ 


Book_J AZU 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



















































Meeting 


By Mabel Kale 

Author of 

Beautiful Girlhood. Hero of Hill House 



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Gospel Trumpet Company 

Anderson, Indiana 



Copyright 1923 
by 

Gospel Trumpet Company 


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APR 14 ’23 


©CH69S975 


"Vvo \ 



CONTENTS 

Introduction . 5 

The Young People’s Meeting. 8 

How to Organize a Young People’s Meeting.. 19 

Methods of Work . 33 

Lesson Plans and Outlines. 48 

The Study of Missions . 75 

Simple Rules of Parliamentary Practise. 83 










INTRODUCTION 

The young people of any congregation present a 
special problem and a special responsibility. A 
strong and enthusiastic body of young people add 
greatly to the success of the local church; but it is 
impossible to have such a body of young people un¬ 
less they are kept busy and their energies directed 
in right channels. The need of special services of 
the young people’s own for their encouragement 
and advancement lias been recognized by church 
workers in general. The movement that has made 
the young people’s meeting an important part of 
the church work in practically every evangelical 
body had its beginning in the early eighties. While 
there had been independent and isolated efforts 
before this, it was at this time that the great or¬ 
ganized bodies began. 

A young pastor in Portland, Maine, found him¬ 
self in need of some plan that would grasp and hold 
the interest and cooperation among the young peo¬ 
ple of his flock. Just at that time he saw a special 
need because there had been added to his congre¬ 
gation a company of forty or more young converts 
who were the fruit of a special series of meetings 
and a! week of prayer. He called them together in 
his own home and laid before them a carefully pre¬ 
pared plan upon which he had spent much time in 
both meditation and prayer. The plan met with 
the hearty approval of the young people, and they 
banded themselves together into the first Christian 

5 


6 THEi YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


Endeavor Society. The interest of his own flock 
in their society and its meetings met all the pas¬ 
tor’s fondest hopes, and the work begun among 
them grew and spread until we have at the pres¬ 
ent time the great organization under that name. 

The Methodist people had, from the beginning 
of their work, special services in their congrega¬ 
tions devoted to the advancement of their young 
people, but these services had been local and inde¬ 
pendent of church organization. About the time of 
the great movement aroused in all churches for the 
organization of the Christian Endeavor or kindred 
societies, the Methodists organized, under their 
own church laws and form of government, the Ep- 
worth League, which has also grown into a large 
and prosperous body. It was nearly the same time 
that the Baptist people organized under their own 
church banner the Baptist Young People’s Union, 
which is grown likewise into a prosperous working 
body. Each of these societies is loyally bound to 
uphold and support its own respective church or¬ 
ganization, becoming in the church a method for 
the upbuilding of its system. The pastors recog¬ 
nize everywhere that their young people’s societies 
have in themselves one of the chief assets to the 
work of the church. 

The need of special and organized effort among 
the young people has been as keenly felt in the 
church of God as elsewhere. As soon as the num¬ 
bers grew so that the portion of young people was 
sufficiently large so as to be recognized as a definite 


INTRODUCTION 


7 


group, some efforts to give them a special meeting 
was set on foot. The young people’s meetings 
held in general and camp-meetings filled a tem¬ 
porary need and were the beginning of regular 
and permanent services for the young people in 
the local congregations. Our young people ’s meet¬ 
ings have come to hold among us an important and 
profitable part of church service. 

The need of such services has been felt in every 
congregation of sufficient size to include even a 
small company of young people. The frequent in¬ 
quiries for methods and plans of conducting such 
services have shown the desire on the part of the 
leaders to make the young people’s meeting both 
interesting and profitable. It is for the help and 
encouragement of those undertaking this work that 
this little book is dedicated. 

Mabel Hale. 

Wichita, Ivans., 

Jan. 1, 1923. 


The Young People’s Meeting 

- - 

CHAPTER ONE 

THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

Tlie Young People’s Meeting is a service con¬ 
ducted by the young people for the young people. 
It is in no sense the service of a junior church, but 
is a department of the general church work and 
has its special place to fill as lias the Sunday- 
school. All tlie needs of the young worshipers are 
not met in tlie general service, and it has been 
found profitable to allow them regularly a service 
especially adapted to their needs. Its nature calls 
for special organization and officers, that its work 
may be carried on systematically; but this organ¬ 
ization should not be confounded with church or¬ 
ganization. While it is conducted in a somewhat 
different manner from the general service, it is, 
and always should be, a place of worship. It is 
not meant to supplant, but only to supplement, the 
general service. 

A need for the Young People’s Meeting has been 
everywhere recognized. The large numbers of 
young people who, after making a sincere start in 
the service of God, became discouraged and even¬ 
tually dropped out of the ranks was alarming. 
Means whereby this loss could be stopped and the 

young people conserved for Christ and the church 

8 



THE YOUNG- PEOPLE’S MEETING 9 

was earnestly sought; and the answer has been 
found, partly at least, in the Young People’s Meet¬ 
ing. Youths who 1 have been timid and afraid to 
let their voices be heard in the general service have 
been willing to cooperate in the conducting of their 
own meetings, and thus latent talent has been de¬ 
veloped, the young people strengthened, and the 
work of the church hastened. Many who without 
their own meetings would have been discouraged 
and have fallen away, have, through the special 
help received from their own service, been built 
up and established in the way, and in time have 
become pillars in the church. 

It is one of the rules of life that growth and 
development will not come without exercise. This 
is as true ini the spiritual life as in the natural^ 
Other things are necessary to growth, to be sure; 
but without exercise there can be no development. 
It is to give the young people something to do that 
their meetings are conducted. Youth is restless, 
full of reserve energy, and eager to be at work. If 
this latent force is suppressed and given no outlet, 
the young people become restless and lose interest, 
and like children under an incompetent teacher, 
turn their attention to things outside of the church 
work. Some method whereby this energy and will¬ 
ingness to do might be husbanded and used for the 
work which so much needs it, made the call for a 
young people’s department imperative. 

It is impossible to meet all the needs of the young 
people in the general service. In the first place, 


10 THE YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 


there is a natural reserve of youth in the presence 
of age. Also it is a fact that persons not timid in 
any other place will show embarrassment in church 
work and worship. Again, if care is not used, the 
young people are neglected in the general service, 
it being made to fit the needs and requirements of 
the older worshipers. The young people, feeling 
themselves in a measure left out, do> not enter into 
the service and make it a part of themselves, as 
they do in a service especially conducted to meet 
their requirements. 

If all the needs of the young people could have 
been met in the general service, there would have 
been no need for the young people’s meeting; but 
since the need was felt and the call came, the 
Young People’s Meeting is with us. Among us 
this work is but in its infancy. There are pos¬ 
sibilities before us that are unbounded. 

The purpose of the Young People's Meeting is 
worthy of careful consideration. Its aim is not to 
take the place of, nor in any way to supersede, the 
general service, but to be auxiliary thereto, the 
young people being urged to attend the general 
services regularly. It is not intended that the 
young people should be able to get in their own 
meetings that which may be had in the general 
services. Their meeting is to supply the lack 
which could not be filled in the other. The work 
of the Young People ’s Meeting is supplementary 
in character, relying on the general service for 
foundation and support. 


THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 11 


The Young People’s Meeting is, first of all, a 
service appointed for the worship of God and the 
study of his Word. This is the one purpose that 
should stand out above every other, and to which 
every other advantage should bow, being servants 
only. The service is for spiritual advancement and 
instruction in as true a sense as is the preaching- 
service or the prayer-meeting, a fact that should 
always be kept in the foreground. It is not a social 
club nor a literary society. Nor does it promise to 
provide entertainment and diversion for the light- 
minded and frivolous. It has a Work to do, a work 
for the advancement of the kingdom of God as im¬ 
portant as that of the Sunday-school or the prayer¬ 
meeting. It is a spiritual service for the purpose 
of increasing spiritual understanding and experi¬ 
ence among the young people. 

In these meetings interest in the study of God’s 
Word should be kept in a flame, the young people 
making themselves acquainted with Bible history, 
doctrine, and the teachings on practical life. There 
should also be a study of the work of God and its 
needs, both in the homeland and on the mission- 
field, that the prayers of the young people may be 
given point and power. 

It is the purpose of the Young People’s Meeting, 
also, to give the young Christians a chance to find 
themselves, that they may be able to speak on spir¬ 
itual things. It is not enough to know of them, but 
every one should be able to tell about the tilings 
of God. Each young person should take part in 


12__ THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

/ 

the services, getting exercise in self-expression in 
spiritual things. The work of this department is 
not only to instruct and teach, but also to assist the 
young people in finding their own place and call¬ 
ing in the service of God. 

Secondary benefits of the Young People’s Meet¬ 
ing call for our attention. Man is a social being, 
and youth is the most social time. For this reason 
the social element enters largely into work among 
the young people, and no work among them will 
prosper that does not handle this phase properly. 
By proper management, the social element can be 
made a strong servant in the meetings, drawing 
and holding the interest and attention of the young 
people as nothing else will. But it must always be 
kept a humble servant; for when it begins to rule 
it will first hinder then crush and kill the spiritual 
element, and substitute in its place social pleasure 
and intercourse, pleasing indeed to the senses but 
deadly to spiritual life. It is easy to drift into this 
condition, and the danger-signals along the way 
should be carefully heeded, and spirituality kept 
the first motive at all times. Where the social ele¬ 
ment prevails, the young people are more inter¬ 
ested in gossiping and visiting, or in the pleasant 
company of sweethearts and chums, or in the plan¬ 
ning of social evenings, outings, and picnics, than 
they are in the prayer- and praise-services or the 
study of the Word of God. The meeting becomes a 
place of play rather than of work, and so fails of its 
purpose. But the proper use of the social element 


THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 13 v 

makes every one feel at home and welcome, gives a 
pleasant sense of companionship, and satisfies in a 
natural and safe way that craving in the young 
hearts for the society of those their own age. The 
free, frank way of real sociality draws other young 
people, and increases attendance. In the meetings 
the young people have opportunity for a closer and 
more intimate acquaintance, and become a compact 
social body, learning much about team-work, a 
tiling most necessary in the work of God. 

All people desire some diversion and entertain¬ 
ment; it is not safe to have all work and no play 
(nor is it good to have all play and no work), so 
the idea of entertainment must enter into the work 
of the Young People’s Meeting. That which is 
monotonous and uninteresting repels rather than 
draws, and will kill the meeting in a little while. 
But entertainment must be kept a servant. As a 
ruler it will substitute froth for milk and a few 
confections for bread and meat. It is necessary 
that every service should be interesting, but the 
interest should come from accomplishment rather 
than from entertainment. It is possible to keep the 
young people interested in work. An occasional 
program arranged with the idea of entertainment 
will add to both the pleasure and the profit of the 
meeting, but such programs should be infrequent 
or rare; the ordinary service being given to deeper 
things. 

There are danger-points in conducting a young 
people’s society. There is always danger of los- 


14 THE YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 

ing sight of the main purpose. With the anxiety 
to attract and hold the interest of the young peo¬ 
ple yet unsaved, the leaders are liable to think 
the interest of the young people is not so great in 
spiritual things as it is, and to seek to draw them by 
the social element alone, forgetting that: the pur¬ 
pose of the meeting is not primarily to get a crowd 
but to increase spiritual wisdom and experience. 
Any course that lowers the spiritual tone of the 
meetings is pointed in the wrong direction, though 
for a time the crowd increases. There is a time and 
place for all things, and the Young People’s Meet¬ 
ing should be given to devotion and worship, social 
intercourse being only a pleasant incident therein. 

It is possible to overdo the idea of work and 
study, making the meeting more a literary club or 
Bible-class gathering than a devotional meeting. 
Our young people need, not only knowledge of 
facts, but also power to express their knowledge 
to others. And, again, it becomes hard to hold the 
interest of those less studious if the meetings be¬ 
come merely classes. Frequent opportunity should 
be given the young people to pray and testify in 
their own meetings. The purely devotional service 
should be held frequently, in which the young peo¬ 
ple may express themselves frankly in prayer and 
testimony or the reading of the Word of God. 

The service can easily become formal, following 
a regular routine with no life nor energy back 
of it, the lessons being gone through in a dry, life¬ 
less manner bringing no real good to the worship- 


THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 15 


ers. Monotony is a forerunner of formality. Youth 
craves variety, and the meetings, to bring the most 
good, must not be of the same kind all the time. 
By prayer and waiting on God the spiritual tone 
may be kept clear, and by thoughtful preparation 
the subject-matter may be kept fresh, so that both 
monotony and formality may he kept out. 

On the other hand, it is possible to have too much 
variety. That can itself become monotonous. It 
is unwise to try to have something new and strik¬ 
ing every session. Yiariety should be used as spice 
and seasoning, and too much of it is as serious a 
hindrance as too much spice and salt. 

The Young People’s Meeting should resemble 
in many respects a school. It is not a, place of en¬ 
tertainment or diversion. Its work will be hin¬ 
dered and its usefulness destroyed if the leaders 
seek only to give entertainment, which can be found 
in greater measure outside of the religious meet¬ 
ing. Schools vary in interest and usefulness, de¬ 
pending upon their management, scope, and course 
of study. It will be found the same in the Young 
People’s Meeting. It will not run itself, but needs 
careful management. Its scope can be narrowed 
until it becomes dry and stale, or widened until it 
loses its distinctive features. Its course of study 
can be narrowed until it becomes monotonous, or 
widened until nothing is accomplished. 

The Young People ’s Meeting will become a dead, 
useless thing soon if it has no purpose in being 
except for its own sake. The young people com- 


1 6L THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

posing the meeting must be interested in some¬ 
thing, must have a, goal to work to. It is only in 
accomplishing a worthy aim that the meetings 
justify their existence. 

Team-work is needed, and by this expression is 
meant the art of pulling together, of working in 
unison and harmony for some desired end, each 
one doing his part to press forward the common 
cause. Team-work helps a person to forget him¬ 
self in rising above his own desires, and to work 
with the crowd for the best interests of all con¬ 
cerned. It is absolutely necessary in the work 
among the young people. It is good for them to 
do many things as a body. Individual effort is 
good; but the good that they could all do individ¬ 
ually is many times multiplied if they all work to¬ 
gether. 

For this team-work to be effectual there must 
be something useful to do. Fortunately there is 
work to be done everywhere. First of all there 
should be a working together for the interest of 
the meeting. The home work undertaken should 
be done thoroughly and conscientiously, each one 
coming to class ready for proper recitation. It is 
easy, if each will do liis paid, to keep a sentiment 
in the meetings that will make shirking of this re¬ 
sponsibility odious. 

The young people as a body will find pleasure 
in raising funds for special purposes. It may be 
that they can make themselves responsible for the 
supplying of some lack in the local church work. 


THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING W 


Again, there are always special needs on the mis¬ 
sion-field that any body of young people can help 
to supply. Charitable work also offers a wide 
field. 

The young people’s societies of many places 
have taken upon themselves, and wisely, the sup¬ 
port each of an orphan under the care of some 
missionary on the field. Or if desiring to get 
more directly to soul-saving work, the society can 
make itself responsible for a certain per cent of 
the support of a missionary on the field. Or again 
it can take the support of some phase of the home 
work. So far as the interest of the meeting is con¬ 
cerned, it is not so much what they are supporting, 
as the hearty cooperation of the young people to¬ 
ward a worthv end. 

The young people, both as a body and as in¬ 
dividuals, may be of great assistance to the pastor 
in his work. There are the visiting of the sick, 
and the giving to them of flowers for their encour¬ 
agement. Through the visiting committees the so¬ 
ciety can be represented as a body, and as individ¬ 
uals they can each go and brighten some suffering 
home. And their visiting will bring to their notice 
much need of help that they can give. There are 
worthy ones in want, and despondent and discour¬ 
aged ones in need of the cheery words that youth 
can give if its powers are dedicated to God. 

Another good work that the young people might 
undertake is the putting of good literature into the 


18 THEi YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 


homes of the people, and in public places where it 
might reach the stranger. 

Everywhere there is work to do, something that 
willing workers can turn their energies toward. 
The Young People’s Meeting becomes of vastly 
more interest and real worth if together the wor¬ 
shipers are undertaking some good work. It 
should not be only as a cistern, just taking in; but 
as a living fountain as well, ever giving out. 


CHAPTER TWO 

HOW TO ORGANIZE A YOUNG PEOPLE’S 

MEETING 

Let us not confuse the organization of the young 
people/ into a working body with church organiza¬ 
tion. The church is divinely organized, the mem¬ 
bers being admitted through the new birth and set 
in place by the workings of the Holy Spirit. In the 
organization of the Young People’s Meeting we 
are not setting up a junior church, but getting into 
working condition an important department of 
church work. The Young People’s Meeting is or¬ 
ganized in the same sense as the Sunday-school is 
organized, having its officers appointed and its 
scope and work defined that all may work together 
consistently. This organization and the observance 
of parliamentary practise have to do with the work 
and business meetings of the society rather than 
with its worship. 

No congregation can accomplish all that it should 
if it does not have in its midst a company of active 
young people; and the activities of the young peo¬ 
ple will not be effective for God if they are not 
properly directed. The Young People’s Meeting is 
a useful means of direction for the young people, 
and properly conducted will bring much good. 

The very first step in organizing a society of 
young people for active work in their own meet¬ 
ings is to recognize the need of such a society. It 

19 


20 THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETING 

is not necessary that there should be a large com¬ 
pany of young people to begin with. Just a few, 
five or six, if they are in earnest and willing to 
work, can have a successful society and one that 
will grow in numbers and interest. It is not so 
much the numbers as the united effort that brings 
the good. 

When the need of the meeting is recognized, a 
vdse talking-over of plans between the leaders of 
the young people and the pastor and Sunday- 
school superintendent will begin the cooperation 
that is so much needed in this line of work. The 
young people should also be consulted in these lit¬ 
tle private talks, until such an interest is aroused 
that a desire for the meetings is felt everywhere. 
When this condition is brought about, it is time 
to appoint a place and date for the first, initial 
meeting. This announcement should be made pub¬ 
licly, with the hearty approval and cooperation of 
the pastor. In fact, the parsonage is a very suit¬ 
able place for this gathering, where plans and ways 
may be talked over freely, and that personal touch 
so needed between the pastor and his young peo¬ 
ple can be had. 

How to Begin .—When the young people are to¬ 
gether, let the meeting be called to order with song 
and prayer, a temporary chairman and secretary 
appointed, and a talk given by the pastor, or a 
worthy substitute, setting the need, nature, and 
plans of the work before the company. Oppor¬ 
tunity should then be given for a united expression 


HOW TO ORGANIZE 


21 


from the young people of tlieir desire for the meet¬ 
ings and of their willingness to do their part in the 
work. 

The names should then be taken of those who are 
willing to become active members at once. The 
Young People’s Meeting depends upon the willing¬ 
ness of its members to work, and it is as necessary 
for the leaders to know who can be depended upon 
as it is for the members to knowi who to look to as 
leaders. So this taking of names is absolutely 
necessary for the carrying on of the work. 

Now comes the, election of the proper officers. 
Each society should have a president, a secretary, 
and a treasurer. These last two officers may be 
combined in one if desired. A larger society will 
need a larger force of officers; the number of offi¬ 
cers should be decided by the society itself. Com¬ 
mittees should be appointed as they are needed. 
At this very first meeting it is well to appoint a 
planning committee, that responsibility for coming 
services may be assumed. The time and place for 
the regular meetings should then be appointed, and 
all further local plans arranged as necessary. 

Simplicity to Be Desired .—Organization is a 
servant to assist in the carrying on of the work; 
just enough for the purpose is much more desir¬ 
able than too much. “Red tape” is a bugbear 
wherever it is found, and it has a strong tendency 
to curb spiritual activity, and to bring in formality 
and coldness. But insufficient organization will 
leave the members in confusion as to both plans 


22 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

and responsibilities. Do not elect or appoint more 
officers and committees than can be actually set 
to work. Better have two or three, and the few 
active, than to have more and a portion of them 
possessing 1 only the name. 


Dimes Defined 

Each officer of a society should have definite re¬ 
sponsibilities, and should see that he does his part 
faithfully. That no confusion may arise in begin¬ 
ning a society, let us consider the duties of each 
responsible person: 

The Pastor .—The pastor fills a very important 
place in the Young People’s Meeting. His duties 
make it hardly practicable that he should have per¬ 
sonal oversight of the work; but he should always 
be thoroughly interested in what is being done, 
and in the individual members. As often as pos¬ 
sible he should be present in the meetings, and 
ready to advise and counsel when necessary, and 
to praise and commend when lie sees improvement. 
Let the pastor feel that the Young People’s Meet¬ 
ing is an important department of church work, not 
merely a means of social pleasure among the young 
people. It is as important in its place as the Sun¬ 
day-school. 

The pastor, in the filling of his place among the 
young people, should have an active assistant in 
his wife. Her presence, interest, counsel, and help 
Will greatly encourage both the leaders and the 
members of the society. 


HOW TO ORGANIZE 


23 


The Sunday-school Superintendent .—It is im¬ 
possible to overestimate the value of cooperation 
in this department. And for this feature to be per¬ 
fect there must be a hearty sympathy between the 
Sunday-school superintendent and the young peo¬ 
ple. If there is such a feeling he will be very much 
interested in the Young People’s Meeting. He 
will have been consulted as to plans and as to the 
Sunday-school classes to be included in this de¬ 
partment, and he will feel that the success of the 
young people’s work will greatly increase the suc¬ 
cess of the Sunday-school. While he will have, 
possibly, no active responsibilities in the society, 
he will be present as often as possible in their 
meetings, will be ready to give counsel and praise 
as he sees the need, and, by his sympathy and 
interest, ready to encourage those who bear the 
responsibility. 

The Leader .—Perhaps the most important offi¬ 
cer or assistant in the Young People’s Meeting is 
the person whom we shall, for lack of a better 
name, call the leader. This person usually should 
be older in years and experience than the young 
people themselves, and one whose sturdiness of 
character and principles and whose spirituality 
commend him both to the young people and to the 
congregation. He must have a sympathetic touch 
with the young, being able to think and feel from 
their point of view. He should have a personality 
that appeals to the young, a person in whom they 
feel free to confide, and whose judgment they are 


24 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


glad to accept. Tlie Young People’s Meeting can 
hardly be conducted successfully without such a 
leader. In the larger congregations two or three 
persons might occupy this place jointly, working 
together with the young people. 

This officer does not obtain his place altogether 
in the same manner as do others. While he should 
be formally accepted by the young people as their 
leader, his appointment is made rather from recog¬ 
nition of his ability, sympathy, and his adaptability 
to the place, and because he feels a personal re¬ 
sponsibility for the work, than from mere formal 
election. To a great measure he holds the same 
position in regard to the young people as the pas¬ 
tor does to tlie congregation, and must be at ali 
times a hearty assistant to the pastor in the over¬ 
sight of this portion of the flock. 

The leader, besides being present in each ser¬ 
vice, lending assistance when necessary, should 
also be one who helps in the preparing of the pro¬ 
grams and the planning of the lessons. In the 
smaller congregations where there are but a few 
young people, or where the members are inexperi¬ 
enced, this leader should feel wholly responsible 
for the work undertaken, seeking suggestions and 
criticisms from the young people as they can give 
them. 

The leader should keep his eyes open and his 
spiritual understanding acute that he may be able 
to detect any undercurrent of restlessness, any dis¬ 
satisfactions that might breed contention, or any 


HOW TO ORGANIZE 


25 


other cans© for discouragement or disappointment 
in the work, and should have the wisdom to dispose 
of these evil inclinations in their very beginning. 

Be should he present in every social function 
he possibly can be, working with the pastor for the 
spiritual protection of the young people. Many 
and varied are his duties; but a blessed place it is 
to fill for those to whom such ability is given. 

This leader should not be appointed for a few 
weeks or months, but should hold his place as long 
as all work together harmoniously, or all feel that 
God is pleased with the arrangement. He is in a 
special way called of God to this work, and that 
calling should be respected. 

The President .—With the president begin the 
officers of the society in its true sense. He is elected 
by the society for a certain term, and is one of 
themselves. The president should be responsible 
for the prompt opening and closing of the services, 
should always lead the meetings if no other leader 
has been appointed, take the lead in greeting vis¬ 
itors, take part in the services, and be exemplary 
in general attitude toward the work. It is his place 
to make the announcements and to have them as 
brief as possible, to hurry through any business 
that must come up in the services, and in every way 
to keep the meetings running smoothly. 

The president should not allow the young peo¬ 
ple’s society to be self-centered, but should take 
the lead in outside work and interests. He should 
always be looking for new and good ideas for the 


26 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


furtherance of the work, and should keep these 
thoughts jotted down in a notebook where he can 
have them when they are needed. 

The president should preside at all business 
meetings, and should sit with the heads of all the 
committees when they meet in their special con¬ 
ferences. In fact, the president and the heads of 
committees should form a sort of executive com¬ 
mittee, to be convened by the president. He should 
see that as little business as possible comes up in 
the regular services, and should call business meet¬ 
ings when necessary. A good president is able to 
keep the wheels of the society running smoothly 
without friction or loss of time. He takes liis of¬ 
fice seriously, never shirking his duty nor leaving 
things to run themselves. On the other hand, he 
does not run the meeting, nor allow any one else to 
do so. He simply sees that the meetings go on. 

The Vice-President .—In the vice-president we 
should find an able assistant to the president, one 
who is awake to the needs of the society, and ac¬ 
quainted with its progress and business so that he 
is able to preside in the president’s absence, or, 
when the president is present, to go ahead if he is 
requested to do so. 

Secretary .—The secretary should be a spiritual¬ 
ly minded person wlio is deeply interested in the 
progress of the society. In the execution of his 
work lie should be accurate, brief, neat, distinct 
in utterance, and always present at the society’s 
meetings. He should keep a record of all business 


HOW TO ORGANIZE 



transacted. He should see that the minutes are 
dated and signed each time written, and that they 
are read to the society for correction and approval. 
He should keep a, list of all members and their 
correct addresses. When it is desired that the 
roll should be called, he should be able to call it 
distinctly and correctly. 

It should be the duty of the secretary also to* do 
all corresponding that is necessary for the business 
of the society. 

The Treasurer .—The treasurer must be one who 
is ‘ ‘ found faithful. ’ ’ It is the duty of the treasurer 
to keep the accounts. This should be done care¬ 
fully and legibly. He may have to learn a little 
bookkeeping to do this work properly. When keep¬ 
ing account of pledges, let him write the names on 
the left-hand side of a left-hand, ruled page, and 
then, using both pages, rule vertical lines making 
spaces for weekly or monthly entries. If pledges 
are not paid promptly, let him collect them in a 
businesslike manner. There will also be different 
funds to be kept separate, as that for current ex¬ 
penses, and that for missions. There will be also 
the ordinary cash-account where receipts and ex¬ 
penditures are set down as they occur. If the 
books are kept systematically, the reports can be 
given briefly and distinctly in the business meet¬ 
ings. 

The treasurer is interested in the raising of the 
money. Let money be raised by free-will offerings, 
rather than by resorting to other methods for this 


28 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

purpose. Christian giving is one of tlic things the 
young people should learn to practise systematical¬ 
ly in their meetings. The treasurer should have 
a clear understanding as to how the money is to be 
paid out. Let the society vote on how the funds 
are to be used and then allow the treasurer to carry 
out the business. 

Committees and Their Work 

A committee is a company to whom something 
is committed. The committee has something def¬ 
inite to do, and understanding clearly what is ex¬ 
pected of its members it is able to perform the 
work. A committee should not be appointed un¬ 
less a direct need is felt for it, and when it has 
been appointed the president should cooperate 
directly with its chairman and see that it accom¬ 
plishes the work it is given to do. The members 
of a committee should be carefully and wisely 
chosen, seeking to find those who are able faith¬ 
fully to perform the duties given them. They 
should be elected in the same manner as the of¬ 
ficers, ordinarily. 

The Lookout C ommittee.—T)siQh society should 
have a Lookout Committee, or a committee equiv¬ 
alent to it. This committee should be composed of 
three or five members and should be chosen from 
among the more spiritual and dependable of the 
company. It should be their duty to look out for 
all the new members possible, and for the encour¬ 
agement and strengthening of all the members, 


HOW TO ORGANIZE 


especially of those young and weak in the cause. 
They should be especially watchful to welcome 
strangers and to make them feel at home. They 
are to be general helpers in the spiritual over¬ 
sight of the society, and should be always active 
and thoroughly alive to the needs and progress 
of the society. 

Planning Committee .—Each society should have 
a committee which works with the president and 
the leader in the planning and outlining of the 
lessons and programs for the regular services. 
Each time the young people come together, there 
should be planned beforehand something definite 
to do. If this is not done, the meeting will fall into 
a rut and lose its hold upon the young people. The 
program for each service should be interesting, in¬ 
structive, and beneficial. By prayerful coopera¬ 
tion this can be made possible. 

Suggestive Committees.— The larger societies 
will find need of other committees than these two 
essential ones. Tlieir number will depend upon 
the work the young people undertake. 

The Music Committee.— This committee is ex¬ 
pected to oversee the music of the society; it is to 
provide special songs, and in various ways develop 
the musical talent of the members. 

The Good-Literature Committee.— This band un¬ 
dertakes the distribution of pure literature among 
those who will, be willing to read it. This is a 
good work and one that should not be neglected. 


30 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


The Social Committee .—This lias the planning 
of the social life of the society. 

The Calling and Relief Committee .—This is ex¬ 
pected to call upon and encourage absent mem¬ 
bers, to visit the sick and needy and to offer them 
comfort and aid, and to seek in every way pos¬ 
sible to make themselves a blessing to those who 
are in need of help. 

The Membership 

Who shall be included as members of the Young 
People’s Meeting? is a question often asked. Let 
us remember that our Young People ’s Meeting is 
not a chapter of a nation-wide organization, but 
simply the banding together of the young people 
of each congregation for their spiritual good and 
advancement. When a person has been taken into 
the number he has not formally joined some gen¬ 
eral organization, but has only promised to do his 
part in the work undertaken. When he fails to 
do what he has promised and no longer associates 
himself with the company, he no longer continues 
to be a member. In the simple organization of our 
local societies, this phase of it usually works auto¬ 
matically, so that there is little need of rules for 
dismissing or rejecting members. 

It is the purpose of the society to help all the 
young people possible, therefore all are welcome. 
Active members are those who are willing to do 
their part in the work undertaken. They should 
include all the young people in the congregation 


HOW TO ORGANIZE 


31 


who have given themselves to Christ. Besides 
these, all should be included who, though not fully 
given to Christ, yet are interested in the things 
of God and enjoy the company of Christian young 
people: the study and preparation of the home 
work and the recitation of the lessons in class will 
be a benefit to them, and possibly lead them to 
Christ; it has done so in many cases. Besides 
these who actively take part, there will be some 
who will like to come and listen, and enjoy the asso¬ 
ciation. They should be made welcome, and urged 
to take part. 

What ages are eligible? is sometimes asked. 
Where there is no junior society it has been found 
advisable to admit the younger folk as soon as they 
can do the work required. Some can do this by 
the time they enter their teens, while it is too dif¬ 
ficult for others. The individual himself can better 
answer this question. Nor do people get over age 
at the same time. So long as a man or woman is 
counted in among the young people in a social 
way, he is perfectly eligible to this society, even 
though his years may be mounting up. 

Nor should marriage bar membership. It is but 
a short while at the longest that married people 
feel themselves one with the young folk, their 
cares and responsibilities placing them in another 
class; but while they desire it, they should be al¬ 
lowed to associate in the Young People’s Meeting 
as if they were unmarried. 

By all means let there be no caste system in the 


32 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


welcoming of members. Every one who desires 
to come and who can be made to enjoy the work 
should feel welcome and at home. 


CHAPTER THREE 

METHODS OF WORK 

The Young People’s Meeting is the young peo¬ 
ple of a congregation banded together, organized, 
into a working body. For the society to justify its 
reason for being, it must find work for all to' do 
and set everybody at work. In order to do this, 
giving to each one equal portion and responsibility, 
according to his ability, some method of work must 
be found that will deal with the members by turn. 

The Group Plan ,—For working purposes it has 
been found very convenient to divide the young 
people into groups. There should be at least six 
or eight in each group in order to make the work 
interesting. Each group in its turn should be made 
responsible for the weekly service. 

In making these groups, care should be taken 
to get them as nearly balanced in ability and ex¬ 
perience as possible. This usually can be done 
by choosing sides after the manner of the old- 
fashioned spelling-match, besides making the 
young people helpers in the grouping. Now let 
the leader of each group take the names compris¬ 
ing his group, and from then on cooperate with the 
president and planning committee in the arrange¬ 
ment of the lessons. It is well for each group to 
have a short business meeting before a lesson is 
undertaken so that each member will understand 
his part and what is expected of him. This need 
take but a few moments of time after service. 

It is a good plan for each group to arrange for 

33 


34 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


one of their number to take charge of their ser¬ 
vices, each capable person leading the meeting in 
regular order. Let them also choose from their 
number some for special song, thus training them 
to take responsibility in public services. If a les¬ 
son is given for home study, let it be handed to 
those whoi are to take part in time for full prepara¬ 
tion, with the understanding that there is to be no 
shirking of duty. A pleasant spirit of rivalry may 
be aroused between the groups, each determined 
not to be out-done by another, and desiring that its 
work may be commendable and worthy. 

The small or one-group societies may be man¬ 
aged in the same way as the individual groups, the 
president of the society acting as the chairman or 
leader. 

Home Work .—One of the important features of 
a successful Young People ’s Meeting is the provid¬ 
ing and preparing of home work. The work of this 
department can not progress as it should unless 
the young people are willing to do work at home 
during the week. The lessons must be prepared so 
that the speakers can give information clearly and 
distinctly when the time comes. By the arrange¬ 
ment we have shown, everybody will not have home 
work every week, but will come by turns, and each 
group should feel responsible to have a lesson that 
will edify all who listen, or a program that will 
be just as useful. The nature of this home work 
will be made more plain as we discuss plans for 
services. 


METHODS OF WORK 



Elements to Enter into Each Service 

There are certain elements that must enter into 
each service to make it instructive, interesting, and 
spiritually edifying. These certain elements are 
the devotional or spiritual tone that draws the 
heart and mind to God and his service, the educa¬ 
tional element that makes the meetings instructive 
and adds always to the fund of useful knowledge, 
and the idea of entertainment which makes the 
meeting interesting and inspiring. Each of these 
elements* has its own place and purpose, and while 
they are not equal in importance, they are all nec¬ 
essary to the success of the meeting. 

The Devotional Service.—The devotional service 
is one in which the devotional element predom¬ 
inates. Such a service should be held frequently 
and entered into with unction. In this service the 
young people are given a chance to express them¬ 
selves extemporaneously on religious subjects and 
experiences. One of the very best devotional ser¬ 
vices is the old-fashioned prayer-meeting with tes¬ 
timonies. If the young people can be encour¬ 
aged to lead in prayer voluntarily and to express 
themselves freely in testimony, it is a great means 
of strength to them. Sometimes it is good for the 
leader, if he believes it is best for the encourage¬ 
ment of a timid person, to call on some one to pray. 
But by no means let a leader form the habit of 
calling on some for prayer instead of waiting for 
volunteers. 

The devotional service is sometimes given to ex- 


66 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

hortation or a short sermon. The speaker should 
be a person who appeals to the young, one in whom 
they have confidence and whom they esteem, whose 
Words will have weight. Practically every congre¬ 
gation holds at least one young person who feels 
the hand of God on him to deliver those short, ear¬ 
nest messages he feels burning in his soul. Some 
of our successful ministers began preaching in this 
way. 

An experience-meeting is very good. In this sort 
of service each speaker relates some of his per¬ 
sonal experience. For brevity and point a special 
subject can be chosen—conversion, healing, dis¬ 
cerning the true church, sanctification, or kindred 
phases of experience—and let the remarks be con¬ 
fined to the chosen subject. In such a meeting the 
speakers may be volunteer, or may have been pre¬ 
viously arranged after the group method. Either 
way will be found very effectual. Such a meeting 
is often a revelation to the hearers as the definite, 
positive experiences are related, and it does the 
speakers good. This sort of meeting can be varied 
by having each speaker tell of some definite lesson 
he has learned in humility or faith, or of his suc¬ 
cess in overcoming some fault. 

Again, a Scripture lesson can have been made 
out ready for the occasion, and a slip of paper con¬ 
taining a Scripture reference given to each mem¬ 
ber, who in turn reads liis scripture and comments 
upon it. Or, more informal, the scriptures can be 
read aloud and volunteers take them and read them 


METHODS OF WORK 



again, with comments, when called for. This sort 
of lesson’s usefulness and interest depends much 
upon the ability of the one leading the service to 
turn every point into the right channel to form a 
connected lesson. 

While devotion is the keynote in all services 
such as we have been discussing, yet the educa¬ 
tional element enters in the ability the young 
speakers gain in expressing themselves on relig¬ 
ious subjects. If such meetings are entered into 
with spiritual unction and in an enthusiastic man¬ 
ner, they are not only interesting to those taking 
part, but they are edifying to the hearers. While 
it cheapens such a meeting to speak of it as en¬ 
tertaining, yet that element enters strongly into 
the spiritual devotional service, arresting the at¬ 
tention of the most frivolous of the young people. 

The Educational Service .—The educational ser¬ 
vice is the one in which the educational element 
governs. But always let the devotional attitude so 
permeate this kind of service that it brings refresh¬ 
ing seasons to the soul as well as food to the intel¬ 
lect. Unless this balance is kept, the educational 
service will become dry and theoretical rather than 
spiritual and edifying. 

The year through, most of the services should 
be of this nature. The purpose of the Young Peo¬ 
ple’s Meeting is to help the young people on to 
usefulness in spiritual things. It is not merely 
a place to go, a center for social enjoyment. The 
successful Young People’s Meeting takes the na- 


£8 THE YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 

ture of a school in many respects. Besides, since 
the Young People’s Meeting is not to supersede 
nor in any sense take the place of the regular ser¬ 
vices, lit would not be wise to let its regular order 
be simply a repetition of the other services. It 
should have a service distinctly different from the 
other services, serving a purpose they could not 
reach. The young people should be always learn¬ 
ing, always getting hold of new tilings, always 
pressing on to more and greater usefulness. Youth 
is the time of preparation, and this serious phase 
should be always kept in mind. 

The educational service should always he pre¬ 
ceded by careful preparation in home study. The 
lessons cani be outlined and enough copies made to 
supply each one who is to take part. If some one 
of the young people has a typewriter, this copying 
can soon be done by making carbons. Then let 
those to whom the lesson is given study it faith¬ 
fully, making ready to give definite information or 
edifying comments onj the subject in hand. 

The scope- of study possible for these meetings 
is almost unbounded. 

The study of the Bible takes first place. It 
should be studied as a book, learning its authors, 
their purpose and manner of writing, its original 
language, translations, etc. There are good ref¬ 
erence-books to be had that will give definite and 
concise information in this Biblical knowledge that 
we all should possess. Too often we are content 
to know so very little about the Bible as a book. 


METHODS OF WORK 


39c. 

By following a good outline, the whole scope of 
the Bible story can be unfolded to view in a clear 
connected form. Such an outline study is profit¬ 
able, and almost imperative to the Bible-student. 
This outline should give Bible history in its reg¬ 
ular order, should set the student right on dates 
and contemporary events, should include Bible 
characters and biographies, teach Bible geography, 
and tell of the Jewish and the Christian church. 

There is a great field of study in those subjects 
that deal directly with Christian life and experi¬ 
ence, and many profitable lessons can be had in 
this form of study. Doctrine also should not be 
neglected. Nio people can be thoroughly settled 
in the Christian faith who are not well grounded in 
sound doctrine. There are doctrines that lie at the 
very root of Christian faith, and these should be 
learned thoroughly, not only that the individuals 
may understand, but that each one may be able to 
tell others also. 

The study of Live Topics of every-day life is one 
productive, of much good. Well do I remember 
a service in which the “ Problems a Young Chris¬ 
tian Must Meet” was the subject discussed. There 
were several young people who spoke, each on a 
different phase of the subject. The young Chris¬ 
tian in the shop, behind the counter, in the office, 
in high school, on the farm, in the home, and out 
at service, each brought before us in an entirely 
new light the weighty problems the dear young peo¬ 
ple were meeting. So far as was possible each 


40 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

; ... 

speaker spoke from his owln experience, having 

been given a subject that fitted his vocation. 

There are many such topics to be found. A dis¬ 
cussion of amusements and their effect on Chris¬ 
tian life will be found a valuable subject. Another 
is the effect and cure of light reading. Or, an¬ 
other, the influence of companions on Christian 
living. Any of these or kindred subjects will bring 
the young people to think and consider for them¬ 
selves. 

Lessons that bring out vividly the possibilities 
of Christian growth, the building of strong char¬ 
acter, and the overcoming of faults, are alwrnys in¬ 
teresting and instructive. 

One service that was very interesting was a Ques¬ 
tion-Box Lesson. In this the young people had 
been asked previously to place in a box questions 
that were puzzling them in their Christian experi¬ 
ence. Pleasant and very profitable was the hour 
put in reading these questions and discussing them. 
Phases of temptation, and difficult problems, were 
made clear by the united counsel of the earnest 
young minds. 

One great topic not to be forgotten nor neglect¬ 
ed is the study of missionary work. Here is pre¬ 
sented an unbounded field as we view the great 
unfinished task of the church. This task falls to 
each new generation of servants of God, and the 
young people now in our midst must from their 
ranks supply the missionaries in the years to come. 
Every young people’s society should be a center 


METHODS OF WORK 


of interest in and of knowledge of missionary 
work, from which spreads the missionary zeal of 
the congregation. The gospel was given to all 
men, and we are living in the time when as never 
before the doors are open on every hand and the 
hungry are calling for the bread of life. But the 
lethargy that has held the church in the past would 
yet hinder our efforts. Let us then stir ourselves 
and become acquainted with the needs as they are. 

The field of study is wide. In the study of those 
countries where missionary work is needed, geo¬ 
graphical knowledge should not be neglected. The 
young people should be made familiar with the 
locations, boundaries, seacoasts, surfaces, alti¬ 
tudes, drainage, rainfall, products, etc., of each. 
They should learn of the people, their race, color, 
language, religion, occupation, manne,r of life, 
modes of travel, customs, and kindred character¬ 
istics that have a bearing on missionary work. 

There should be a study of Oriental religions 
sufficient to make the young people know the na¬ 
ture of the different religions and the effect of each 
upon the people. Each of the great Oriental reli¬ 
gions leaves its own stamp on the people who fol¬ 
low its teachings, and these the young people 
should, in a measure at least, understand. 

Missionary biography is another fruitful field 
of study. Our young people need the inspiration 
that comes from the study of the lives of those 
noble men and women who* have hazarded all for 
the cause of Christ, Paton, Taylor, Livingstone, 


42 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

■f 

and Carey are all names that stir the depths of the 
Christian heart There should be a study of mis¬ 
sionary work as it is being accomplished at the 
present time. The study of our own missionary 
efforts should not be neglected. Our young peo¬ 
ple should be acquainted with the different fields 
and the missionaries who occupy them. 

No opportunity should be lost for talks and lec¬ 
tures from those who can give clear and definite 
knowledge of missionary work. Exhortations also 
should be frequent, urging active missionary effort 
upon the young people. 

Entertainment .—Occasionally the Young Peo¬ 
ple’s Meeting should have a service in which enter¬ 
tainment is the leading feature. The devotional 
and educational elements should enter strongly 
into this service also, giving it color and point. 
The proper use of the entertainment adds variety 
to the work. A mistake easily made is that of try¬ 
ing to make each service entertaining. In time the 
many new ideas and unexpected turns of the meet¬ 
ings will become empty and monotonous. Each 
service should be interesting; but let it be remenir 

bered that real interest centers in work done. Thev 

* 

who are entertained need do but little thinking, 
therefore too much entertainment makes lazy peo¬ 
ple and not thinkers. We want our young people 
to be energetic instead of lazy. 

The simple program of song and recitation can 
be used occasionally to good advantage. In these 
programs regard should always be given to the 


METHODS OF WORK 43>- 

nature of the meeting. All songs and recitations 
should have a spiritual message in them. Dialogs 
teaching strong spiritual lessons can also be used. 

Illustrated lessons in missionary work or char¬ 
acter-study are always good in this kind of service. 
A lesson on the life and customs of our American 
Indians and their need of the gospel is made more 
striking if the address is made by one dressed in 
the costume of the Indian. The same is true of 
other peoples or countries. Some customs and 
manners can be illustrated in the same way. 

A certain lesson made in the form of a dialog il¬ 
lustrated in a very striking manner the desirable 
and the undesirable characteristics of prospective 
missionaries, and the genuine and the frivolous 
desire to become a missionary. 

One illustrated lesson on temptation strongly 
impressed those who heard it. There were a num¬ 
ber of speakers chosen, each one to represent some 
form of temptation, such as pride, envy, worldly 
amusements, or jealousy, and each in turn personi¬ 
fied his particular temptation, telling in a vivid 
manner the way in which it reached and held the 
young people. Special days as Thanksgiving or 
Eiaster may be celebrated with appropriate pro¬ 
grams, and thus vary the order of the meeting. 

The element of entertainment may be brought 
into services which are more strictly educational, 
if it is used wisely so that the minds of the young 
people are directed to the lesson rather than to 
the entertainment. 


44^ THEi YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 

Social Life .—The young people of a congrega¬ 
tion should become a distinct, social body so com¬ 
pact that its members cling together depending up¬ 
on each other for social life and activity. The 
young people’s society can be of great service in 
bringing about this bond. The work together in 
the meetings, the warm social atmosphere of help¬ 
fulness and cooperation, tends to make the social 
bond strong. While the Young People ’s Meeting 
proper is a place of worship and should ever be 
kept so, yet the social gatherings of the young 
people who compose that society can be made of 
much pleasure and profit. In these social gather¬ 
ings the young people become acquainted with 
each other, have opportunity for interchanging 
ideas, and have legitimate occasion for that asso¬ 
ciation so pleasant and profitable to young men 
and women. The playing of innocent games that 
relax the mind and nerves, or that direct the mind 
actively in new and useful channels, gives a sense 
of rest and comfort that is healthful to body, mind, 
and soul. 

In social gatherings the young people should 
ever remember that Christians should be examples 
of purity and faithfulness everywhere, and allow 
nothing to enter into the social pleasures that hin¬ 
ders spiritual life. If in every gathering, whether 
indoors or out, a few of the older and spiritual peo¬ 
ple are present and mingle with the young people 
in their games, there is little danger of that which 
is undesirable creeping in. The person who has 


METHODS OF WORK 



the spiritual oversight of the young people in their 
society should always be one who> can enter into 
their social life with understanding and pleasure. 

The social element is one that must also be kept 
strictly a servant ; for as a master it, would soon 
lower the tone of the young people’s society until 
it became nothing more than an excuse for social 
intercourse. But to ignore the social element and 
give it no place in the life of the society would be 
the certain cause of failure. 

There are dangers in the social activities that 
should ever be guarded against. Too* much activ¬ 
ity along this line tends to make a frivolous and 
light-minded people. Games that in any way play 
upon the emotional or the baser nature should 
never be allowed. Let everything be done in purity. 

The diversity of ages found in some societies 
tends to make the young people to be socially 
divided into squads. If this division is purely a 
matter of age and is congenial all around, it is not 
so harmful; but if cliques and clans are formed, 
courting some members and excluding others, it is 
a dangerous thing, and such division should not be 
tolerated. The members should all be friends and 
feel a common bond of brotherhood that excludes 
all party lines and party feelings. 

Outside Service.—The work of the young peo¬ 
ple’s society should not be confined to their reli¬ 
gious services only, nor should all the overflow go 
to social life. All about them are found those who 
are in need of the very aid that the bright-faced 


46 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


young Christians can give. There are the sick and 
the aged to be visited. All members should he 
urged to do some of this work in a personal way. 
But that as a society they may do their part, let 
a committee be appointed whose duty it is to do 
this kind of work. Absent members should be 
looked up and urged to get back into the service. 
New members should be .sought continually. The 
young people should keep stirred up to be contin¬ 
ually on the lookout in every service of the church 
to make all strangers and new comers feel perfectly 
at home. 

A fund should be kept for supplying flowers to 
the sick. Many a sick-room can be gladdened in 
this v^ay. 

Occasionally the young people can lead the week¬ 
ly prayer-meeting, bringing strength to themselves 
and encouragement to the older members. 

The young people should be always ready to give 
assistance wherever it is needed—in the Sunday- 
school, in cottage prayer-meetings, etc.—or to ren¬ 
der any other service they can. 

If there is a warm cooperation between the pas¬ 
tor and the young people, lie can find work for 
them to do that will materially help him in the 
congregation. He should feel free to advise and 
direct them, giving them all they can do; and they 
should be willing to assist him in every way pos¬ 
sible, working at his direction. 

The young people can take special responsibility 
in providing that which is necessary to make the 


METHODS OF WORK 


47 


church-building comfortable and inviting. It is a 
law of youth that they keep busy, and the young 
people’s society in any place will flourish as it 
keeps all its members at something useful and 
profitable. 


CHAPTER FOUR 

LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 

This chapter will be devoted to lesson outlines 
and suggestions suitable fojr use in) the group 
method of study, and illustrating the different 
forms and subjects of study. I shall endeavor to 
give as far as possible only lessons which have been 
found of practical value in actual use. Most of 
them will require home work to make them inter¬ 
esting. 


A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS 

IN FIVE LESSONS 

I. Creation to Abraham, Chapters 1—11. 

II. The Life of Abraham, Chapters 11:27—25:10. 

III. Isaac and Jacob, Chapters 24, 25:11—36:43. 

IV. Joseph, Chapters 37—50. 

V. Comparison of Characters. 

LESSON ONE: CREATION TO ABRAHAM, GENESIS 1—11 

I. Tell in Your Own Words the Story of the Creation, and of 

the Garden of Eden, Chap. 1, 2. 

Dwell on these points: 

How God is introduced into the narrative. 

Extreme simplicity of the account. 

The order of creation, and how it compares with the 
findings of science. 

Creation of man and woman. 

Responsibility and restriction placed upon man and 
woman. 

Location of the Garden. 

The institution of marriage. 

II. Tell the Story of the Fall and Its Results, Chap. 3, 4. 

Dwell on these points: 

The tempter’s appeal to Adam and Eve’s desire for 
knowledge. 


48 


LESSON PLANS AN1) OUTLINES 49 


The effect of the appeal on Adam and Eve. 

The punishment meted out to each offender. 

Loss of the Garden. 

Sacrifice made by Cain and Abel. 

Cain’s jealousy. 

The first murder and its results. 

Cain’s punishment. 

III. Genealogies, Chap. 4:16—6:13. 

Dwell on these points: 

The value of genealogies. 

Cain’s descendants. 

The genealogy and great age of the patriarchs. 

The great wickedness of men. 

Noah’s character and family. 

TV. The Flood, Chap. 6:14—8:19. 

Dwell on these points: 

The ark—its size, form, time in building, etc. 

The ark occupied, and closed. 

The flood—its beginning, duration, extent, etc. 

The sending forth of the dove and raven. 

Leaving the ark. 

Y. The Covenant Made with Noah, Chap. 8:20—9:29. 

Dwell on these points: 

Noah’s sacrifice as acceptable to God. 

Noah’s patriarchal blessing of his sons. 

God’s covenant with Noah. 

The prophetic cursing of Canaan. 

Noah’s age and death. 

Date of Noah’s life. 

VI. Noah’s Posterity, Chap. 10, 11. 

By the use of a map show to the class the location of 
the three families of Noah’s descendants. 

Name and discuss some peoples come from each family. 
Tell of the scattering of the people from the tower of 
Babel. 

Locate Babel and Babylon on the map. 

The generations from Shem to Abraham. 

LESSON TWO: THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM. GEN. 11:27—25:10 
I. Abraham’s Early Life, Chap. 11:27—12:20. 

His family—father, brothers, wife, nephew. 


50 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


His home at Ur: locate Ur on the map, givei the race 
and religion of its inhabitants. 

His move to Haran: locate Haran, and tell who went there. 

God’s covenant with Abraham: where made? Abraham’s 
age at the time? who affected by the covenant? 

Abraham’s trip to Canaan: locate Canaan and trace his 
journey on the map till he goes to Egypt. 

Abraham’s denial of his wife. 

II. Abraham and Lot, Chap. 13, 14. 

Abraham and Lot live at Bethel. 

Parting of the two; Lot to the Jordan, and Abram to 
Mamre. 

Battle of the kings: from map show the class where each 
of these kings came from, where the battle was 
fought, and where was Abram’s home. 

Capture of Lot. 

Pursuit by Abram, and deliverance of Lot; trace this jour¬ 
ney of Abram on the map. 

Meeting of Abram and Melchisedec; Abram is blessed. 

III. Abram Is Promised a Son, Chap. 15—17. 

Abram’s complaint, and God’s promise of a son. 

Abram’s sacrifice, and the promise renewed. 

The story of Hagar: flight; in the wilderness; return; 
birth of Ishmael. 

God’s covenant renewed and Isaac promised. 

Abram and Sarai’s names changed. 

IV. Abraham Entertains Angels, Chap. 18. 

Draw a word-picture of Abraham—at his tent-door rest¬ 
ing during the heat of the day, running to meet his 
guests, bringing water to wash their feet, resting 
under the shade of the tree, bringing bread and meat, 
etc. Get a glimpse of the Oriental customs. 

Tell of the threatening of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

V. The Cities Destroyed, Chap. 19. 

Lot sits at the gate, and welcomes the strangers. (Note 
the ancient customs.) 

The evil behavior of the men of Sodom. 

Lot’s flight with his wife and daughters. 

Lot’s wife becomes a pillar of salt. 

The cities destroyed, and Lot’s journey to Zoar. 

Abraham views the scene. 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 51 


VI. Isaac Is Born, Chap. 20, 21. 

Abraham goes to Gerar. Locate it. 

Isaac is born. Age of Sarah and Abraham. 

Hagar and Ishmael cast out. 

Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness. 

At Beersheba. 

VII. Abraham’s Trial of Faith; His Death, Chap. 22, 23, 25: 

1 - 10 . 

Abraham offers up Isaac. The promise renewed. 

Sarah dies; Machpelah bought. 

Abraham’s sons by Keturah. 

Abraham’s age and death and burial. 

LESSON THREE: ISAAC AND JACOB, GEN. 24, 25:12—37:1 

I. Isaac’s Birth and Life. 

He is promised (chap. 17:19). 

He is born (chap. 21:1-5). 

His home at Gerar: he denies his wife (chap. 26). 

He is offered up on Moriah. 

II. Isaac’s Marriage, Chap. 24. 

In preparing this topic, look carefully for the Oriental 
setting and customs, and study it till you can see 
the incidents as they are related. 

III. Jacob and Esau, Chap. 25:11-34; 27:1-46. 

Their birth. Their personal appearance. 

Jacob obtains the birthright. 

Jacob obtains the blessing. 

Show importance attached to the blessing. 

Esau’s anger. 

IV. Jacob in Paran-aram, Chap. 28:1—30:24. 

Isaac sends Jacob to Rebekah’s people. 

Jacob’s vision of the ladder. 

Jacob vows to God. 

Jacob reaches Haran, and meets Rachel and Laban. 
Jacob marries Leali and Rachel. 

Rachel envies Leah because of her children. 

V. Jacob and Laban, Chap. 30:25—31:55. 

Jacob serves fourteen years for his wives. 

Jacob serves another six years for Laban’s cattle. 
Jacob becomes rich and leaves Laban. 

Laban pursues Jacob. 


52 THE YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 


Rachel hides the images. 

Laban and Jacob make a covenant. 

VI. Jacob and Esau Again, Chap. 32, 33. 

Trace the journey of Jacob from Haran to Canaan. 
Jacob meets the angelic host. 

Jacob sends messengers and presents to Esau. 

Jacob wrestles with the angel, and has his name changed. 
Jacob meets Esau, and is at peace with him. 

Jacob arrives in Canaan. 

VII. Jacob’s Children, Chap. 35. 

Jacob purges his household of strange gods, and worships 
at Bethel. 

The number and names of his sons. 

LESSON FOUR: THE LIFE OF JOSEPH 

I. Joseph and His Brethren, Chap. 37. 

Locate on the map the place where Jacob lived. 

The envy of Joseph’s brothers, 

Joseph’s dreams. Notice the importance given to them. 
Trace the journey of the sons of Jacob with their flocks. 
Joseph finds them, and is unkindly received. 

Joseph is placed in a pit, then sold. 

Jacob’s anguish. 

II. Joseph the Prisoner, and Joseph the Ruler, Chap. 39—41. 

Joseph in Potiphar’s house. 

Joseph falsely accused and cast into prison. 

The dreams of the butler and the baker. 

Pharaoh’s dreams. 

Joseph advanced. 

III. Joseph’s Brethren, Chap. 42—45. 

. They go to Egypt for corn. 

They are accused of being spies, and one brother is kept 
as hostage. 

They find their money in their sacks. 

They return with Benjamin for more corn. 

They are entertained by Joseph, and delayed in returning 
home. 

They prove to be of different temper from formerly. 

They learn the ruler is Joseph. 

They are sent for their father. 

IV. Jacob in Egypt, Chap. 46—50. 



LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 53 


Jacob’s joy on hearing of Joseph. 

The journey to Egypt. 

Jacob meets Pharaoh. Note the forms of greeting. 
Jacob and his sons settle in Goshen; locate on the map. 
Jacob is sick, and is visited by his sons. 

Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons. 

Jacob calls his sons and blesses them. 

Jacob dies and is carried to Canaan for burial. 

Joseph’s age and death. 

V. Importance of the Study of Genesis. 

Show that the study of Genesis has been important be¬ 
cause it tells the beginning of all things. 

With the book of Genesis discredited, the very existence 
of the universe becomes a mystery. 

Faith has a firm foundation in the records found herein. 
Tell the author and age of the book. 

LESSON FIVE: CHARACTER-STUDY IN GENESIS 

(Note.—In the study and comparison of Bible characters we 
should remember that these men of old were flesh and blood as 
we are, and in the main acted just as we would act under the 
same circumstances. Therefore try to see their environments 
and to understand their thoughts and feelings. Clothe them 
with flesh and blood and make them real men in a real world.) 

I. Noah. 

Read all the record given of Noah. 

Study his good points: faithfulness, decision, patience, etc. 
Notice his weaknesses. 

Point out at least one lesson to be learned from his life. 

II. Abraham. 

Read the record of his life. 

Study his many good qualities: decision, faithfulness, in¬ 
itiative, patience, and godliness. 

Note his weaknesses. 

Point out one or two lessons we learn from his life. 

III. Isaac and Jacob. 

Read the record of their lives. 

Show Isaac to be a quiet, peaceful man, living over again 
so far as he could the life of his father. We find 
very little initiative or originality in Isaac. 

Show Jacob to be just the opposite, full of initiative and 


54 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


“push,” able to go ahead and get his wishes sup¬ 
plied. Show the tendency to deceit until after he 
meets with God in the wrestle with the angel. Con¬ 
trast his character with Isaac's, and compare him 
with Abraham. 

IV. Joseph. 

Study the life of Joseph in all its cleanness and beauty. 

Point out morals in his life suitable for the young men 
of this age. 

V. Sarah and Hagar. 

Study the story of Sarah; note how she left Ur to jour¬ 
ney with Abraham, and clung to him in all his wan¬ 
derings; show how jealous she was for her son when 
she had Hagar and Ishmael cast out. 

Study the story of Hagar; note her arrogance after she 
became the mother of Ishmael, and her resentfulness 
toward Sarah; and note her humility after the angel 
talked with her at the well. Picture her sorrow and 
anguish in being sent away, and in their distress in 
the wilderness. 

VI. Conclusion. 

Mention other important characters in Genesis, pointing 
out one or two traits found in each: Enoch, Lot, 
Laban, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, etc. 

A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS 

IN FIVE LESSONS 

Introduction. —A considerable portion of Romans is w T ritten 
in the form of a discussion between Paul, the champion of the 
Gentile Christians, and a Jew who has accepted Christ but who 
has not seen the breadth nor liberty of the gospel. In the 
course of the argument the Jew asks questions, which Paul an¬ 
swers directly. 

Let us imagine the two groups, Paul surrounded by the 
Gentile converts all anxious to be accepted in full confidence, 
and the Jew surrounded by the Jewish Christians all anxious 
to vindicate the law. Much is at stake, and the great apostle 
brings his best arguments in his most convincing manner. We 
see the Jew silenced and convinced, and the discussion followed 
by exhortations to all to continue in a w T ise and godly walk. 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 55 


General Outlines. —The book of Romans was written by Paul 
when he was bound for Jerusalem to carry the offering of the 
Gentiles to the suffering saints at that place. He was at 
Corinth when he wrote. He had long desired to visit Rome, 
but had always been hindered. He considered it a strategic 
point for the spread of the gospel, and desired to see the church 
there understand the liberty of the gospel. The letter was writ¬ 
ten about A. D. 58. The key to the book is, Justification by 
Faith. 

The book is divided into three parts—introduction, Rom. 1: 
1-15; argument, Rom. 1:16—11:36; and exhortation, Rom. 12—16. 
The first eight chapters prove the Gentile accepted in Christ 
without question, the next three chapters discuss the rejec¬ 
tion of the Jews, and the last five chapters exhort to godly 
living. 

LESSON ONE: ROMANS 1—3 

I. Introduction and Greetings, Chap. 1:1-16. 

Paul introduces himself as an apostle (v. 1). 

Paul addresses the Roman church (v. 7). 

Paul expresses his great desire and endeavor to see them 
(vs. 9-13). 

Paul confesses himself in debt to all (vs. 14-16). 

II. Paul Arraigns the Gentile World, Chap. 1:17-32. 

Righteousness through faith is introduced (v. 17). 

Sin of rejecting light, or holding truth in unrighteous¬ 
ness, is condemned (v. 18). 

The Gentiles proved guilty of this sin, for they have re¬ 
jected their means of knowledge of God (vs. 19-23). 
The depth of sin into which the Gentile world fell after 
rejecting the true knowledge of God (vs. 24-31). 
Judgment upon all who have pleasure in sin (v. 32). 

III. The Sin of Judging, Chap. 2:1-4. 

Paul now addresses the Jew who is spokesman for his 
party. 

He condemns him for judging, since the Jews also sin 
against light (v. 1). 

God’s judgment will be just against all transgressors 
(v. 2). 

Judging will not excuse transgression (v. 3). 

God desires repentance (v. 4). 

IV. Both Jew and Gentile Pioved Under Sin, Chap. 2:5-24. 


56 


THEi YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


God will reward according to each man’s sin (vs. 5-12). 

The Gentiles have a law written in their hearts, which 
law they have violated (vs. 13-16). 

The Jews have the lav/, which they have violated (vs. 
17-24). 

V. Unprofitableness of Circumcision, Chap. 2:25-29. 

Circumcision accepted only if the law is kept (v. 25). 

If the uncircumcised keep the righteousness of law, he is 
accepted (v. 26). 

The Jew must be one inwardly (vs. 28, 29). 

VI. The Jew’a Prerogatives, Chap. 3:1-20. 

Jew asks, “What advantage has the Jew, and what profit 
is in circumcision?” (v. 1). 

Paul: “They have the oracles of God” (v. 2). 

Jew: “Shall unbelief of some make faith without ef¬ 
fect?” (v. 3). 

Paul answers (v. 4). 

The Jew pleads for a chosen Israel in spite of their sins 
(vs. 5-9). (Paul makes a few expostulations in these 
verses.) 

Paul proves all under sin (vs. 9-20). 

VII. All Have Sinned, Chap. 3:21-26. 

.Some sin having the law, some without. 

Righteousness comes through Christ, and there is no dif¬ 
ference between Jew and Gentile. 

Justification through Christ. 

VIII. Boasting Excluded, Chap. 3:27-31. 

Jew asks where the Jew’s advantage is. Paul proves it 
is excluded, and all come by faith (vs. 27, 28). 

Jew asks if God is the God of the Jews only, or of Gen¬ 
tiles also. Paul acknowledges him to be God of 
both. (Vs. 29, 30.) 

Jew asks whether faith makes the law void. Paul says 
it establishes the law. (V. 31.) 

LESSON TWO: ABRAHAM’S FAITH, JUSTIFICATION, 
HOLINESS, ROMANS 4—6 

I. Abraham’s Faith, Chap. 4. 

Jew asks what advantages are found in Abraham (v. 1). 

Paul answers that Abraham was not justified by works, 
but that faith was counted for righteousness (vs. 2-5). 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 57 


Blessedness of forgiveness (vs. 6-8). 

Jew asks if this blessedness can com© on uncircumcised, 
and when Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him. 
Paul answers that his faith was reckoned as right¬ 
eousness when he was yet uncircumcised. (Ys. 9-13.) 

Faith, and not the works of the law, commends to God 
(vs. 14-17). 

Abraham’s great faith (vs. 18-25). 

II. Justification by Faith, Chap. 5:1-11. 

Justification brings peace, joy, and hope (vs. 1, 2). 

Glory in tribulation (vs. 3-5). 

Christ’s free offering for sin (vs. 6-11). 

III. Adam and Christ Contrasted, Chap. 5:12-21. 

Sin came upon all through Adam. 

Grace offered to all through Christ. 

IV. The Law of Holiness, Chap. 6. 

Jew asks if the Christian is unrestrained from sin since 
the law is void (v. 1). 

Paul refutes such a theory. The Christian is dead to 
sin, baptized into Christ’s death, raised up in Christ 
to walk in a new life. (Vs. 2-4.) 

The old man is crucified, and the body of sin destroyed 
(vs. 5-7).. 

Reckon ourselves dead to sin; do not let it reign in the 
body (vs. 11-14). 

Jew again questions whether sin shall be unbridled, with¬ 
out the law (v. 15). 

Become servants of righteousness (vs. 16-22). 

The wages of sin (v. 23). 

1 

LESSON THREE: LAW AND GOSPEL EXPERIENCE 
CONTRASTED, ROMANS 7, 8 

I. Law Has Dominion Only During Life, Chap. 7:1-6. 

Marriage annulled by death (vs. 2, 3). 

Christians dead to law through Christ (v. 4). 

Before this death, sin worked in members (v. 5). 

Serve in newness of spirit since in Christ (v. 6). 

II. Cupidity of Sin, Chap. 7:7-13. 

Jew asks if the law is sinful. Paul replies that it makes 
sin known (v. 7). 

Sin takes advantage of the commandment (v. 8). 


58 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


Paul was alive without the law once (innocency of child¬ 
hood), but died when the commandment came (when 
he understood the law of God) (v. 9). 

Sin took advantage of Paul and slew him (vs. 10, 11). 

The law is holy (v. 12). 

Jew asks if holy thing can bring death; Paul lays the 
blame on sin (v. 13). 

III. Paul’s Unsatisfactory Experience, Chap. 7:14-25. 

Speaking for the Jew, Paul tells the unsatisfactory ex¬ 
perience he has under the law (vs. 14-23). 

Paul bewails his wretchedness, and calls for deliverance 
(v. 24). 

Deliverance is announced in Christ (v. 25). 

IV. Freedom of the Life in Christ, Chap. 8:1-4. 

No condemnation, freedom from the law of sin (vs. 1, 2). 

Weakness of the law,, and strength of the gospel of 
Christ (v. 3). 

Righteousness of the law fulfilled in the life in Christ 
(v. 4). 

V. Victory of the Spirit over the Flesh, Chap. 8:5-17. 

Warfare of the flesh, or carnal mind, with the Spirit 
(vs. 5-8). 

Victory over the flesh (sin-nature or sin-principle in the 
heart) through Christ (vs. 9-11). 

Our obligation to serve the Spirit (vs. 12, 13). 

Blessedness of sonship (vs. 14-17). 

VI. Hope in Christ, Chap. 8:18-25. 

Glory to be revealed outstrips the suffering (v. 18). 

Looking forward of the heart of man to final redemption 
and eternal glory (vs. 19-23). 

Glorious hope of the Christian (vs. 24, 25). 

VII. Office of the Spirit, and the Foreknowledge of God, Chap. 

8:26-30. 

Spirit makes intercession (vs. 26, 27). 

All things work together for good (v. 28). 

The Jew believed in the foreknowledge of God and the 
predestination of the Jews; therefore Pa.ul touches 
this point, showing that God predestined that his 
people be in the image of his Son, rather than that 
they be a literal choosing in Abraham (v. 29). 

This predestination was to justification and glory (v. 30). 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 59 


VIII. Security in Christ, Chap. 8:31-39. 

Who shall question the election in Christ? for in Christ 
the people of God have all things (vs. 31, 32). 

Who shall judge those whom God elects (even though 
they be Gentiles)? the choice is God’s (v. 33). 

Who ha 3 a right to condemn God’s chosen people (be¬ 
cause they are not of Abraham) ? Christ died to pur¬ 
chase them (v. 34). 

Who shall be able to separate them from Christ? Noth¬ 
ing shall be able to take the faithful ones away. 
(Vs. 35-39.) 

LESSON FOUR: REJECTION OF THE JEWS, ROMANS 9—11 

I. Paul’s Sorrow for the Jews, Chap. 9:1-5. 

II. God Has Ever Reserved the Right to Choose Whom He 

Will, Chap. 9:6-18. 

Isaac was chosen, Ishmael rejected (vs. 6-9). 

Jacob chosen and Esau rejected (vs. 10-13). 

The Jew questions God’s righteousness (v. 14). 

Man dependent upon God’s mercy; none in the position 
to demand favor from on high (vs. 15, 16). 

God sometimes chooses evil instruments (v. 17). 

God shows mercy where he will (therefore he reserves 
the right to choose the Gentiles) (v. 18). 

III. Paul Defends God’s Right to Choose, Chap. 9:19-33. 

The Jew asks why God finds fault if he reserves such 
rights; if he chooses whom he will, man is not 
responsible (v. 19). 

Paul reproves the idea of thus charging God with un¬ 
fairness; since God made all, all is his (vs. 20-24). 

Paul quotes the prophets to show that the Gentiles are 
also called (vs. 25-29). 

Jew asks what the argument then is. Paul answers that 
the Gentiles have attained through Christ what the 
Jews failed to find in the law. (Vs. 30, 31.) 

Jew asks the reason for the Jews’ failure, Paul answers 
that it is because they did not seek by faith. (Vs. 
32, 33.) 

IV. Salvation Open to All Believers, Chap. 10. 

Paul’s desire for his people (vs. 1-3). 

Christ the end of the law (v. 4). 


60 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


Righteousness of the law requires the bodily presence 
of Christ (vs. 6, 7); but righteousness of faith is in 
the heart’s believing, and by the mouth’s con¬ 
fessing (vs. 8-11). 

Gentiles received the same as the Jews (vs. 12-21). 

V. God Has Not Cast Off His People, But Has Given Them 

an Open Door, Chap. 11:1-6. 

The Jew asks in alarm if God has cast off his people; 
Paul assures him God has not (vs. 1, 2). 

A remnant saved (vs. 3-5). 

Grace is the open door through which the remnant enter 
(v. 6). 

VI. Rejection of' Those Who Will Not Come by Grace, Chap. 

11:7-12. 

Jew again asks the reason for the rejection. Paul an¬ 
swers that the elect in Christ have attained to it, 
and the rest have become blind. (Vs. 7-10.) 

Jew asks whether in their blindness the Jews have fallen. 
Paul answers that rather through their fall a door 
has been opened for the Gentiles. (Vs. 11, 12.) 

VII. Paul Addresses the Gentiles, Chap. 11:13-25. 

He magnifies his office (v. 13). 

If casting off of Jews brought life to Gentiles, the re¬ 
ceiving of them shall be life from dead (v. 15). 

Wild olive (Gentiles) should not boast against the nat¬ 
ural branches (the Jews) (vs. 16-18). 

Branches broken off because of unbelief (vs. 19, 20). 

Gentiles also rejected if not faithful (vs. 21, 22). 

Jews may be grafted in again (through Christ, the same 
as the Gentiles) (v. 23). 

No more wonderful for Jews to turn and come to Christ 
than for Gentiles to come to Christ (v. 24). 

Blindness to Israel till fulness of Gentiles is come in 
(v. 25). 

VIII. The Salvation of Israel, Chap. 11:26-36. 

All Israel has opportunity to be saved, through Christ 
(vs. 26, 27). 

They are enemies to the gospel, to be sure, but yet are 
not utterly rejected, for mercy is offered them 
(v. 28). 

Paul urges the Gentiles not to boast over the Jews, but 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 61 


to have mercy on them, for through them came the 
gospel to the world; and the Jews are included in 
that offered mercy (vs, 29-33). 

God is over all and all powerful (vs. 34-36). 

[This ends the argument; now comes exhortation.] 

LESSON FIVE: EXHORTATIONS TO GODLINESS, 

ROMANS 12—16 

[Seek in this lesson to give only a synopsis of each chapter. 
Almost every department of life is touched, and these lessons 
are not intended for a thorough discussion of every point.] 

I. Chapter 12. 

Complete consecration because of God’s mercies (vs. 1-4). 

The body of Christ with its members and offices (vs. 5-8). 

General exhortations (vs. 9-21). 

II. Chapter 13. 

Obedience to the laws of the land (vs. 1-3). 

Payment of taxes, etc. (vs. 4-8). 

Love the principal law (vs. 9, 10). 

Exhortation to honesty and uprightness (vs. 11-14). 

III. Chapter 14. 

Direction against uncharitable judgment, in the eating 
of meats, keeping of days, etc. The Jews and Gen¬ 
tiles had such different customs, that they needed 
to have much patience and forbearance one with the 
other. 

IV. Chapter 15. 

Forbearance one with another (vs. 1-7). 

Paul excuses his writing, and mentions the extensive¬ 
ness of his teaching and preaching (vs. 8-33). 

V. Chapter 16. 

This isi a very human chapter, showing Paul’s natural 
love and interest in his friends. 


THE LIFE OF DAVID 

1ST AND 2ND SAMUEL 

A LESSON ILLUSTRATING THE STUDY OF BIBLE 

CHARACTERS 

I. Childhood and Youth. 

1. Place David in history, telling who he was, when he 
lived, where he lived, etc. 


62 THE YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 


2. Give the name of his father, grandfather, great-grand¬ 

mother, and the tribe from which he came. 

3. Give as full a description of his homelife and occupa¬ 

tion as you can find. 

4. Tell of his anointing by Samuel at Bethlehem (1 Sam. 

16). 

5. Describe his life as Saul’s musician. 

II. The Young Soldier. 

1. Give the story of David and Goliath (1 Sam. 17). 

2. Show how David fared after the battle with the 

Philistines (1 Sam. 18). 

III. In Saul’s Court. 

1. Saul’s jealousy of David (1 Sam. 19). 

2. The friendship of David and Jonathan, and David’s 

flight from Saul (1 Sam. 20). 

IY. The Fugitive. 

1. David obtains hallowed bread (1 Sam. 21). 

2. David at Adullam; the priests of Nob slain (1 Sam. 22). 

3. Treachery of the Keilites (1 Sam. 23). 

4. David at Engedi; he spares Saul’s life (1 Sam. 24). 

5. Nabal’s churlishness (1 Sam. 25). 

6. Saul’s life again spared (1 Sam. 26). 

7. David at Gath (1 Sam. 27). 

V. King David. 

1. The battle of Gilboa (1 Sam. 31). 

2. David laments Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1). 

3. David is made king of Judah (2 Sam. 2). 

4. David made king of Israel (2 Sam. 5). 

5. David brings the ark to Zion (2 Sam. 6). 

6. Promises to David (2 Sam. 7). 

VI. David’s Sin. 

1. The death of Uriah (2 Sam. 11). 

2. Nathan rebukes David (2 Sam. 12). 

3. David’s repentance. 

VII. Absalom’s Insurrection. 

1. Fued between Absalom and Ammon (2 Sam. 13:23-39). 

2. Absalom’s return from exile (2 Sam. 14). 

3. Absalom’s conspiracy (2 Sam. 15). 

4. Absalom’s death and David’s mourning (2 Sam. 18). 

5. David returns to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 19). 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 


¥- 

VIII. David’s Last Days. 

L The conspiracy of Adonijah (1 Kings 1). 

2. Solomon made king. David’s charge to him. 

3. David’s death. 

DOCTRINAL LESSONS REQUIRING HOME STUDY 

SIN 

I. What is sin? Give the Bible definitions of sin, and show 

from a Scriptural standpoint what constitutes sin. 

II. How came sin into the world? Show from Scripture that 

sin was imposed upon man through the fall. 

III. What are the manifestations of sin in the lives of men? 

In answering this, read several of the catalogs of sin 
found in Scripture, and show how these sins work in the 
human life. 

IV. Is it possible to live free from sin? Show by Scripture and 

by reference to examples in life that it is impossible 
for men to live free from sin of and by themselves. Then 
show the promises in Christ, and their marvelous fulfil¬ 
ment in the lives of those who accept him. 

V. What must a man do to be delivered from the power of 

sin? Show from Scripture the path made that leads 
from sin to righteousness. 

VI. What are the final results and rewards of sin? Show by 

the Scriptures the awful penalties of sin. 

VII. What should be the attitude of Christians toward sinful 

things? Show by Scripture and also through reasoning 
the right attitude of a Christian toward sin. 

A HOLY LIFE 

I. What do we mean by the expression, A holy life? Show 

by Scripture and through reasoning that a holy life is 
one which accords with the Word of God in purity, 
uprightness, and earnestness. 

II. Why do not men live holy lives? Show by Scripture and 

by examples that the hearts of men have been defiled 
by sin so that a holy life is impossible. 

III. What is the will of God for men in regard to holiness? 

Show by reasoning from Scripture that God’s will is that 
men should live holy. 


64 THE! YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 

IY. What is necessary in the hea.rt of man before he can live 
a holy life? Show the need and possibility of redemption. 

V. Is growth in holiness possible? Reason from the Scriptures 

on the possibility of increase of light and understanding, 
of a fuller surrender to God and his ways, and of a 
steady increase in the graces of God. 

VI. How may I increase in holiness? Give an exhortation on 

holy living in which the path of daily righteousness is 
pointed out. 

VII. Is holiness of heart and life absolutely necessary in a 

Christian? Answer this question definitely from Scrip¬ 
ture, showing the absolute necessity of holiness. 

THE CHURCH OF THE BIBLE 

I. What is meant by the term “church”? First show the 

common use of the word, and then present the Scriptural 
meaning of the term. 

II. Where and how did the church of the Bible begin? Show 

from Scripture that the Bible church began with Christ 
and was made possible through his life and death. 

III. Who are members of the Bible church, and how is member¬ 

ship secured? Give Scriptural proof for every assertion. 

IV. , What is the name of the Bible church, and how was it 

named? Every denominational name has a reason for 
being, so there is a reason) for the name of the Bible 
church. Give both the name and the reason. 

V. Is it possible that there should be no more than one true 

church, and why? Reason from Scripture on the nature 
of the church and its work, and show that unity is the 
only Bible standard. 

VI. Who are the officers of the Bible church, and how are they 

appointed? Who was the founder, and who is the present 
head of the Bible church? Scriptural answers can be 
found for all these questions. 

VII. What and where are the class-book and discipline of this 

Bible church? Why is this arrangement better than 
if these were made and kept by men? 

VIII. What is the work of the church on earth? 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 


65 


DOCTRINAL LESSONS FOR HOME STUDY OR FOR 
EXTEMPORANEOUS BIBLE-LESSONS 

REPENTANCE 

I. Need of Repentance. 

1. Sin separates from God (Isa. 59:1, 2). 

2. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23). 

3. All without repentance perish (Luke 13:3). 

II. Steps to Repentance. 

1. Hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:13-17). 

2. Hearts touched by preaching (Acts 2:37). 

3. Godly sorrow, which works repentance (2 Cor. 7: 

9, 10). 

III. Fruits of Repentance. 

1. Repentance brings fruit in the life (Matt. 3:8). 

2. Clearing of self (2 Cor. 7:11). 

3. Washing—putting away of evil (Isa. 1:16-18). 

4. Forsaking of evil ways (Ezek. 33:19). 

5. Making of restitution (Ezek. 33:15). 

6. Reconciliation with brother (Matt. 5:23, 24). 

7. Forgiveness of wrongs (Matt. 6:14, 15). 

8. Confession of sins (1 John 1:9). 

IV. Result of True Repentance. 

1. Blotting out of sins (Acts 3:19). 

2. Forgiveness by God (1 John 1:9). 

V. Examples of Repentance. 

1. Publican (Luke 18:10-14). 

2. Thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43). 

3. Paul (Acts 9:1-9). 

4. Jailer (Acts 16:25-34). 

FOUR VIEWS OF SALVATION 

I. Salvation. 

1. Jesus is the author of salvation (Heb. 5:8, 9). 

2. Salvation is offered to all men (Titus 2:11, 12). 

3. Knowledge of salvation comes through remission of 

sins (Luke 1:77). 

II. Justification. 

1. Justification brings peace with God (Rem. 5:1). 

2. We are justified freely by God’s grace (Rom. 3:24). 


66 THE YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 


3. Those who believe on Christ are justified (Acts 13:39). 

4. Justified through the blood (Rom. 5:9). 

Let the speaker explain that justification is the legal side of 
salvation, whereby the sinner is set free from condemnation 
through the free offering of Christ for sins. Justification has 
to do with our standing before God. 

III. New Birth., 

1. Ye must be born again (John 3:3). 

2. It is a spiritual birth (John 3:5, 6). 

3. The new birth gives victory (1 John 5:4). 

4. Those born of God live above sin (1 John 3:9). 

The new birth is that phase of salvation which brings spiri¬ 
tual life to the soul. This spiritual awakening takes place 
when the condemnation of God is removed; but the term ex¬ 
presses that spiritual life and vigor which makes the new 
creature in Christ. 

IV. Conversion. 

1. Except ye be converted (Matt. 18:3). 

2. Repent and be converted (Acts 3:19). 

Conversion has to do with that change which comes in the 
outward life of the convert. The old life is put off and the 
new life is put on. This change of life begins when the soul 
is justified, and is made possible through the new birth. 

V. Pardon. 

1. Forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). 

2. Pardon is abundant and full (Isa. 55:7). 

3. Thy sins are forgiven (Luke 7:47, 48). 

Pardon, or forgiveness, is that phase of salvation wherein the 
loving Savior freely and graciously forgives all our transgres¬ 
sions and accepts us as his own. 

VI. Salvation is the sum of all these phases. It is not com¬ 

plete unless there is peace with God, a new and full 
spiritual life, a change of conduct, and the knowledge 
deep in the soul that all sin is forgiven. 

MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS FOR LESSONS 

All of these lessons have been used successfully. A large 
portion of them have been used in the Baltimore (Md.) Young 
People’s Meeting, and the notes kindly given by Miss Estella 
Kemp. 


CO to 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 67 


CHARACTER BUILDING 

1. What is character, and how formed? 

2. How shall I build purpose into my character? 

3. How shall I build reliability into my character? 

4. How shall I build decision into my character ? 

5. How shall I build humility into my character? 

6. How shall I build gentleness and kindness into my character? 

7. How shall I build temperance and patience into my character? 

FAULTS, HOW TO OVERCOME THEM 

1. What is a fault, and what should be done about it? 

. How shall I overcome carelessness? 

. How shall I master impulsiveness? 

. How shall I overcome timidity? 

5. How may vacillation be overcome? 

6. How may talkativeness be governed? 

7. How may I overcome sensitiveness? 

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT 

How They May Be Fostered in the Christian Life 

1. What is meant by ‘‘fruits of the Spirit”? How do they 

differ from natural traits of character? 

2. Love.—Tell what godly love is, and how it differs from 

mere natural affection. Tell how love may be fostered 
in the life of a Christian. 

3. Joy.—Explain the Christian’s joy or source of pleasure 

and how it differs from the pleasure found in the world. 

4. Peace.—Explain the wonders of peace with God, and how 

it far exceeds the peace this world can give. 

5. Long-suffering.—Tell the beauties and usefulness of this 

grace in the Christian life. 

7. Gentleness.—Describe this beautiful grace and tell how it 

may be increased in the Christian life. 

8. Goodness.—Explain the source of goodness, and how good¬ 

ness is cultivated by the Christian. 

9. Faith.—Show the place and power of faith in the Christian 

life, and how it may be increased. 

10. Meekness.—Show how meekness is increased in the Chris¬ 
tian life. 


68 THEi YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETING 


SPIRITUAL LESSONS FROM THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 

IN THE WILDERNESS 

1. What does the Red Sea typify in Christian experience? 

2. What lesson is learned from, the Song* of Miriam? 

3. What lesson is gathered from the Bitter Water of Marah? 

4. What do we learn from the Palm Trees, and the Twelve 

Springs ? 

5. What is learned from the Smiting of the Rock? 

6. What does the Daily Manna from Heaven typify? 

7. What does the Tabernacle signify? 

8. What lesson is gained from the Leprosy Outside the Camp? 

9. What do we learn from the Offering of Strange Fire? 

10. What do we learn from the Sending of the Quails? 

11. What lesson can be gained from the Complaint of Miriam 

and Aaron Against Moses? 

12. What does the Sending of the Spies from Kadesh signify? 

13. What lesson is learned from the Stoning of the Man for 

Picking Up Sticks on the Sabbath-day? 

14. What lesson can be gained from the Fruits of Canaan? 

15. What is learned from the Rebellion of Korah and Dathan? 

16. What spiritual lesson isl learned from the Capture of 

Jericho? 

LESSON ON SCRIPTURE REFERENCE 

Let a list of references on various subjects be made out and 
given to each member of the society, or group, and a full week 
allowed for study. When time comes for the meeting, let num¬ 
bered slips be given to each person having received the list of 
references; on the slip should be written out one of the texts 
indicated on the list of references, but the text’s location not 
given. When his number is called, each member is to rise, read 
his text, and tell where it is found, and then comment upon it. 

MY CIRCUMSTANCES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND TALENTS— 
HOW I MAY MAKE THE BEST USE OF THEM 

(Let each speaker be ready to tell his own circumstances, op¬ 
portunities, and talents, and express his opinions, desires, and 
decision upon the best use of them., The following notes should 
be given each one.) 

1. Circumstances. —These are extremely varied, each individual 
being differently situated. Some persons have favorable. 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 69 



others unfavorable circumstances; but, like Paul, each 
can learn in his own state to be content (Phil. 4:11); for 
“ godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 
6:6). This is the secret of a happy Christian life. But 
not only do we need contentment; we should know how 
to turn every circumstance to the best advantage, no 
matter how hard or trying it is. God has some special 
purpose in placing us in these circumstances, and let us 
seek to get out of them all he has for us. 

2. Opportunities. —These are on every side of us. They are 
placed before us and thrust upon us continually. Are 
we using them as they come, or are we letting them slip 
by? God sends them for the sol© purpose of our taking 
advantage of them, and if w© fail to grasp them his 
plan is thwarted, and we are the losers. By one person 
making use of his opportunities, souls have been saved. 
What if that person had been careless? Constantly we 
have opportunity to do good to all men, and especially to 
the household of faith; are we grasping the opportunities? 
It takes genuine love to find opportunities; so that our 
lives may be always useful, we should keep filled with 
the love of God. 

3. Talents. According to the parable in Matt. 25:14-30, we each 
have at least one talent. Our duty is to make use of that 
one talent that God may increase our capabilities. We 
shall become acquainted with our talents by doing with 
our might what our hands find to do; new, God-given 
opportunities and responsibilities will develop new talents. 
Talents which make possible the building of a proper 
and happy home are as much to be desired as those which 
are for public service. 


THE ARMOR OF A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST 

1. The shield of faith. 

2. The girdle of truth. 

3. The breastplate of righteousness. 

4. The helmet of salvation. 

5. The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). 

6. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel. 

(For illustrating this lesson a Roman armor was hired.) 


to ?o 


70 THE! YOUNG PEOPLE’S meeting 


THE BEATITUDES 

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit. 

2. Blessed are they that mourn. 

3. Blessed are the meek. 

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness. 
. Blessed are the merciful. 

. Blessed are the pure in heart. 

7. Blessed are the peacemakers. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE REFORMERS 

1. John Huss. 

2. John Knox. 

3. Martin Luther. 

4. Ulrich Zwingli. 

5. John Calvin. 

6. John Wesley. 

7. George Whitefield. 

8. D. S. Warner. 


CHRISTIAN ADORNMENT 
1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:3; 1 John 2:15, 16 

1. Christian adornment opposite to vanity. 

2. Our attire should correspond with our profession. 

3. Our attire should be modest: not conspicuous in color nor 

startling in make; not too sheer, nor luxurious; not ab¬ 
breviated in an extreme way in neck, skirt, or sleeves. 

4. Our external appearance should evince modesty, simplicity, 

and gravity. 

NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF DECISION 

1. Decision is an act of the will; it should govern the entire 

life, and is strengthened by exercise. 

2. Helps to making and keeping a firm decision: 

a) Perseverance in performing of duty. 

b) Regularity in means of grace. 

c) Meditation upon God’s Word. 

d) Observation of other strong characters. 

3. Decision is necessary in order to succeed: without it we are 

always wavering; by it we may be faithful. 

4. Discuss the benefits, advantages, and rewards of decision. 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 71 


EFFICIENCY IN SOUL-WINNING 

Factors that make for efficiency: Tact, Patience, Courage, Wis¬ 
dom, Prayer, Persistence, Earnestness, Trueness to Souls, 
Soul-Burden, Love. 

(Let speakers take one or more of these subjects and prepare 
short messages upon them.) 

EXAMINATION OF OURSELVES 
1 Cor. 13:5 

1. In our devotion to God. 

2. In our general deportment toward the world. 

3. In our business dealings. 

4. In our home-life. 

5. In our dress. 

6. As members of the church of God. 

SHOALS FOR THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN TO AVOID 

1. Neglect of prayer. 

2. Neglect of God’s Word. 

3. Light reading. 

4. Neglect of testimony. 

5. Sensitiveness. 

6. Insubordination, or independence. 

7. Procrastination. 

8. Misspent time. 

9. Worry. 

10. Talkativeness. 

11. Idleness. 

12. Carelessness. 

WHAT IS LIFE, AND HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GF IT 

Jas. 4:14 

1. What is Life ? How may I make the best of mine? 

2. The necessity of having a purpose in life. 

3. How to redeem time and use spare moments profitably. 

4. Ways of wasting time, and the result of such a course. 

5. The necessity of redeeming time because of evil. 

THE HELPFUL LIFE THAT COUNTS FOR GOD 

1. The sympathetic life. 

2. The cheerful life. 

3. The pure life. 


72 THEi YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


4. The Spirit-filled life. 

5. The self-denying life. 

6. The patient life. 

LIFE OF PRAISE 

1. How we should praise God. 

2. Why we should praise God. 

3. Where we should praise God. 

4. When we should praise God. 

PURITY 

1. Pure eyes (seeing with desire only those things that are pure). 

2. Pure thoughts (entertaining only that which is pure). 

3. Pure actions (blameless deportment). 

4. Pure conversation (speaking only that which is pure). 

5. Pure heart (the fountain of life pure). 

POINTS OF SERVICE FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS 

1. Be interested in friends and loved ones. Do what is possible 

to get them to meeting. 

2. Be kind, showing love to others. 

3. Give out pure literature. 

4. Be interested in class if a Sunday-school teacher. 

5. Be interested in all phases of God’s work. 

6. Give of means. 

7. Be a worker in young people’s meeting. 

RIGHT THINKING 

1. Right thinking, and its effect upon us. 

2 . The effect of loose thinking both spiritually and mentally. 

3. What we should think upon. 

4. How we can control our thoughts. 

EVIDENCES OF SPIRITUAL DECLINE 

1. Inactivity. 

a) Becoming at ease in Zion (staying away from services 

for little or no excuse). 

b) Not doing our duty in God’s service. 

c) Carelessness in regard to publici service (seldom en¬ 

gaging in prayer or testimony). 

d) Making of little effort in Christian service. 

2. Lack of devotion. 


LESSON PLANS AND OUTLINES 


73 


a) Neglect of private prayer (letting other things come 

first). 

b) Allowing prayer to lose its sweetness. 

c) Never praying through to victory. 

3. Neglect of the reading of God’s Word. 

4. Lightness; talkativeness. 

5. Gossiping. 

6. Ways to remedy this inactive condition. 

PROBLEMS A YOUNG CHRISTIAN MUST MEET 

1. Problems in school-life. 

2. Problems in the shop or factory. 

3. Problems in the office. 

4. Problems among young associates. 

5. Problems in home-life. 

6. Problems in domestic service. 

SUGGESTIVE SUBJECTS FOR EXTEMPORANEOUS 
SPEECHES, OR FOR PAPERS TO BE WRITTEN OUT 
DURING THE WEEK AND READ IN THE SERVICE 

How I came in contact with the present reformation. 

What is an ideal young man (or young woman) ? 

My ideal Christian. 

Personal experiences in divine healing. 

Startling incidents in Christian life. 

Peculiar answers to prayers. 

The young Christian’s attitude toward worldly amusements. 
Incidents that led to my conversion. 

Things I am thankful for (Thanksgiving service). 

New Year resolutions (New Year service). 

Life’s best gifts (Christmas service). 

The meaning of the resurrection to me (Easter service). 

The duty of the Christian to his country. 

Why we should be law-abiding citizens. 

Incidents that brought encouragement in my life. 

My ideal friend. 

My worst enemy (that which has hindered me most in God’s 
service). 


74 THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETING 


DRILL WORK 

There is no more effective way of fixing facts in the mind 
than by means of drill work. This sort of work can be made 
very interesting if undertaken in the right way. Questions 
should be made out covering the work done in Bible history and 
geography, and in the study of the Bible as a book. With the 
questions should be the expected answer written in as few 
words as possible, and these questions and answers should be 
given to the class to learn. If a textbook is preferred rather 
than the more laborious task of making and copying the ques¬ 
tions, Training for Service, by Herbert Moninger, will be found 
very effectual. This book gives rather 1 a thorough course in 
Bible-study, with, in the back of the book, such drill questions 
as are needed. The first six parts of this book are very 
good for work in the young people’s societies. These drill ques¬ 
tions can be used for a few moments near the end of each ser¬ 
vice, and the facts kept fresh in the minds of the young peo¬ 
ple. Sometimes they can be answered by the young people in 
unison, sometimes by them individually, and at other times by 
them divided into two groups which answer alternately. 
Occasionally the company can spend an entire evening with the 
drill work, choosing sides as in a spelling-match and having a 
contest. 

Another desirable feature of drill work is in the learning of 
portions of Scripture. These should be repeated in unison, and 
drilled upon until the young people are thoroughly familiar 
with many of those portions which have been a comfort and 
stay to God’s people through all ages. 

Through drill work the young people can also be made famil¬ 
iar with their Bibles. Each with Bible in hand should be ready 
to find scriptures as they are called, each one standing to his 
feet as soon as he finds the proper scripture location. 


CHAPTER FIVE 

THE STUDY OF MISSIONS 

The church has before it a great, unfinished task. 
The express command of the Lord was that the 
gospel should be preached in all the world. Nearly 
two thousand years have passed by, and yet the 
task is not accomplished. 

The church has had seasons of great missionary 
zeal; and she has had longer seasons of leth¬ 
argy and indifference, when the heathen have been 
forgotten while the Christians were engrossed in 
their own affairs. The early church had a fruitful 
season of missionary effort when the gospel of 
peace put to route the great red dragon of pagan¬ 
ism, and gave to the Roman Empire a Christian 
government. Nor was old paganism ever able to 
regain its seat. A second great revival in mission¬ 
ary zeal came at the time when the Germanic na¬ 
tions were brought into the fold of the church. The 
third great season of missionary effort began near¬ 
ly two hundred years ago, and has been increasing 
in power and might ever since. Every evangelical 
body of Christians is interested in missions, and 
- some of them have been organized for the express 
purpose of carrying the glad tidings to the regions 
where the gospel had not yet gone. Consecrated 
men ana women have gone forth facing hardships 
and certain death that they might blaze the way 
for the truth to penetrate dark lands, and God has 
blessed their labors by giving to the church the 

75 


76 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


landsi for which they died. And at present each 
body is endeavoring to send its best talent and its 
most consecrated soldiers to carry the battle on. 
Shall we, to whom God has revealed his precious 
truths about the unity of believers and his one 
great church, be behind others in this work! Ought 
not our hearts to be alive with zeal and endeavor 
that we may do all that w:e can to cany out his last 
command! 

It has been wisely said that in missions lies the 
hope of the church. The spirituality of the church 
largely depends upon the missionary effort. Chris¬ 
tianity was never intended to be a self-nourishing, 
self-protecting religion, but, its life depends on the 
efforts of its followers in propagating the faith. 
The mission of the church is to go forth bearing 
the glad tidings, opposing and overcoming the 
powers of darkness and carrying light and hope 
to darkened humanity. To turn the interest of 
Christians into other channels is to crush out spir¬ 
itual life and to leave only the forms of true re¬ 
ligion. The vitality of Christianity depends upon 
its evangelical and missionary efforts. 

The hope of another phase of the church is found 
in its young people. It is upon their shoulders 
that the burden of the work must shortly fall, and 
from their ranks are to be chosen those who shall 
go forth carrying the gospel message. It is of 
vital importance to the growth of the church, and 
the work of missions especially, that our young 
people be made acquainted with missionary needs 


THE STUDY OE MISSIONS 


77 


and be prompted by a zeal and love for missions. 

The work of the Young People’s Meeting can 
be made of great benefit in spreading missionary 
knowledge. The study of missions should be a 
prominent part of the study program. One Sun¬ 
day of every month should be given to missions, 
and each service devoted to that subject should be 
well planned and directed that the most may be 
got out of it. A committee should be appointed 
whose duty it is to plan the missionary services 
and to find ways and means of increasing the love 
for and knowledge of missions. 

Suggested Outline Studies .—A study of the his¬ 
tory of missions can be taken up—a comparison of 
work done in the different periods of missionary 
effort, a study of the motives and methods and ac¬ 
complishments of the greater missionary boards 
and societies, and a thorough study of our own 
missionary history. Under this head might also 
come a study of the needs, hindrances, and ad¬ 
vantages of the countries where missionary efforts 
are being carried on. 

A second line of study can be found in the biog¬ 
raphies of missionaries. The young people should 
be made familiar with the names of those men and 
women who have gone forth carrying the gospel 
to darkened lands. Such names as Carey, Judson, 
Taylor, Livingstone, Paton, and Slessor, should be 
well known by the members of our societies. Along 
with this topic should be mentioned the study of 


78 THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


our own missionaries, their places of labor, their 
successes, needs, and hindrances. 

A third line of study which can be made both in¬ 
teresting and instructive is a study of the religions 
of the Oriental world. These religions can be com¬ 
pared with the Christian religion—bringing out 
many points of Christianity ’s superiority, increas¬ 
ing the respect of the young people for the gospel 
of Christ, and giving them an insight into the doc¬ 
trines which the missionary must meet. 

A fourth line of study can be made of the mis¬ 
sionary himself—his qualifications, education, call¬ 
ing, etc. Inquiry can be made into the life and 
habits of the missionary, his encouragements and 
discouragements, his hindrances, hardships, and 
sacrifices. There is a nature in youth which is 
drawn to that which is grave and courageous, and 
a study of real missionary life will stir the hearts 
of the stronger young people to serve and sacrifice 
also. 

Methods of Missionary Instruction .—The sim¬ 
plest and easiest way of giving instruction is by 
means of lectures and exhortations. If these talks 
are given with spirit and in an interesting manner, 
some advancement in missionary interest will be 
the result. But this is a lazy way of getting knowl¬ 
edge, and because it requires no 1 effort, no lasting 
results is often the outcome. Such lectures are 
good if they supplement real effort on the part of 
the students. 

Much good can come from the study of textbooks 


THE STUDY OP MISSIONS 


79 


on missions, but this method would perhaps not be 
practical in the ordinary Young People’s Meeting, 
as lit requires that which is more strictly class- 
work. A profitable way is for certain assignments 
to be given those who are to speak, the report to be 
given from memory, or from notes, or read from a 
well-prepared paper. Each member who takes 
part in these missionary studies is sure to be es¬ 
pecially interested, while the reports will instruct 
and interest those who listen. 

The missionary committee should be always 
awake to every item of interesting news from the 
mission-field, and this news should be mentioned in 
the missionary meetings, thus keeping the young 
people in touch with the work. 

Practical illustrations which appeal to the eye 
as well as to the ear can be had by means of dia¬ 
logs and impersonations. The customs, dress, and 
manner of thought of the people among whom the 
missionary labors may be had by means of the 
dialog. The study the young people must make to 
be able to illustrate their parts brings the mission¬ 
ary nearer them. The impersonating of a Hindu or 
Mohammedan by the leader who is prepared to ask 
questions of the class in regard to those points of 
doctrine which are foreign to his religion, expect¬ 
ing answers of the class, or the reverse—the class 
asking questions of the leader about the religion he 
represents—by this a better conception of the doc¬ 
trines of Oriental religions can be had, and the 
great need of pure Christian doctrine made plain. 


80 THE YOUNG PEOPLE 'S MEETING 

Our young people's missionary meetings must 
be kept interesting as well as instructive, holding 
the interest, not only of those who are of a studious 
turn of mjind, but of those of less studious turn of 
mind as well, therefore it is not practical to make 
the class-method too prominent. While each mis¬ 
sionary service should be instructive, yet by vari¬ 
ety, careful planning, and thorough preparation it 
can always be interesting and entertaining. 

Missionary interest is always stirred by mission¬ 
ary giving. Each young people’s society should 
have a special aim in view in giving. Either a cer¬ 
tain portion of the missionary budget of the con¬ 
gregation should be taken as their responsibility, 
or they should pledge themselves to help in a por¬ 
tion of the field somewhere. Missionary work is a 
system of giving—the giving of the glad tidings 
and, back of that, the giving of the means whereby 
the messengers can go with the gospel message. 
Missionary effort that does not increase the spirit 
of sacrifice and service in the young people is 
wasted. 


SUGGESTIVE LESSON OUTLINES 

SOUTH AMERICA A MISSION-FIELD 

(Five-Minute to Ten-Minute Talks) 

1. Why we should be interested in South America. 

2. The geography of South America: location, area, climate, 

topography, products, people, language, etc. 

3. The history of South America: a brief review of the rise 

of the South-Ameriean republics. 

4. The religious life of South-Americans: a review of the reign 

of the papal religion, with the uprising of the people 


THE STUDY OF MISSIONS 81 


against it, and the country ’s present religious condition. 
5. Present opportunities in South America. 

THREE MISSIONARY HEROES 
(Fifteen-Minute Talks) 

1. Hudson Taylor. 1. David Livingstone. 

2. Adoniram Judson. OR 2. Alexander Duff. 

3. William Carey. 3. John G. Paton. 

LIFE OF JOHN G. PATON 
(Ten-Minute and Fifteen-Minute Talks) 

1. Early Life. 

Home and family. 

Religious training. 

School-life. 

2. A City Missionary. 

Glasgow city mission. 

Call to foreign missions. 

To the New Hebrides. 

3. Life at Tanna. 

Beginning of the mission, 1858. 

Difficulties. 

Death of Mrs. Paton. 

Abandonment of the Tannese mission. 

4. Missionary Journeys. 

To Australia. 

The Dayspring. 

Among the aborigines. 

To Scotland and back. 

5. At Aniwa. 

Face to face with heathenism. 

The light shines more and more. 

Marvelous success at Aniwa. 

6. Around the world for Jesus. 

BECOMING A MISSIONARY 
(Five>-Minute to Fifteen-Minute Talks) 

1. What constitutes a call to foreign missionary work. 

2. The kind of people called as missionaries. 

3. Qualifications needed in a foreign missionary. 

4. Preparation for missionary work. 

5. Responsibility upon rejection of a call. 


82 THE' YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


MISSION-APPEAL 

(Impersonation) 

(Ten-Minute to Fifteen-Minute Talks) 

1. A Chinese man. (If possible let speaker be dressed as a Chi¬ 

nese. Let him plead the needs of China.) 

2. A Japanese. (Some portion of Japanese dress might well 

distinguish the speaker. Let him present the problems of 
religious life in Japan, with Japan’s need of the pure 
gospel.) 

3. A Hindu woman. (More effective if the speaker is dressed 

for the part. Let her lay again before the audience the 
cry of the Indian woman for the light of the gospel.) 

4. A missionary from Africa. Africa, a land of so many needs 

and people. (Let the speaker be filled with real zeal for 
his subject.) 


CHAPTER SIX 

SIMPLE RULES OF PARLIAMENTARY 

PRACTISE 

Parliamentary practise is laws which govern de¬ 
liberative assemblies. The laws governing par¬ 
liamentary practise were originally taken from the 
English Parliament. Formal parliamentary prac¬ 
tise is needed for the business sessions of the young 
people’s society, but is not usually desirable in its 
regular meetings for worship and instruction. 

Organization .—When a society is to be organ¬ 
ized, a meeting is called. At the appointed time, 
some one arises and says, ‘ ‘ The house will please 
come to order . 9 ’ He then calls for nominations for 
a temporary chairman. A name or names are of¬ 
fered and voted upon. If no one receives the ma¬ 
jority, the vote is again taken till one is elected. 
When this chairman is elected, he at once takes the 
chair, and proceeds to finish the temporary organ¬ 
ization. When this is done, the object of the meet¬ 
ing is stated by the chairman or some one whom he 
calls upon to do it. Chairman and secretary are 
generally all the officers necessary in a temporary 
organization. 

The next thing in order is the appointment of 
committees necessary for the forming of a per¬ 
manent organization. When the committees re¬ 
port, or if no committees are found necessary, the 
chairman proceeds to put the vote for permanent 

83 


84 THE; YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


officers before the assembly. The temporary offi¬ 
cers may be made permanent, or others may be 
elected. As soon as they are elected they take 
their places and proceed wlith the business in 
hand. 

Duties of Officers 

President .—It is the duty of the president to 
preside at the meetings, to announce business, to 
preserve order, to put motions to the vote, and to 
announce the result, and also to see that the rules 
of the body and of parliamentary usage are ob¬ 
served. 

If he wishes to vacate the chair for a time, he 
may appoint some one as chairman pro tem. (for 
the time being). 

The chairman can not make nor second motions. 

Vice-President .—It is the duty of the vice-presi¬ 
dent to preside in the absence of the president. He 
has all the powers and responsibilities of the presi¬ 
dent while he is in the chair. 

In the absence of the president and vice-presi¬ 
dent, a chairman pro tem. is elected. 

Recording Secretary.—The duty of the record¬ 
ing secretary is to keep a record of the proceedings 
of the meeting, which record is called the “min¬ 
utes.” The secretary should keep such records 
as will enable any intelligent person k> understand 
fully the nature and doings of the meeting. 

He should record in the minutes all the prin¬ 
cipal motions, whether carried or lost, unless other¬ 
wise instructed. 


SIMPLE RULEiS 


85 


In the absence of the presiding officers, the sec¬ 
retary should call the meeting to order and have 
a chairman pro tem. elected. 

It is the duty of the recording secretary to read 
papers, etc., that are called up, to call the roll, to 
note those absent, to call the roll for ayes and noes 
to be taken, to notify committees of their appoint¬ 
ment and of the business referred to them. 

He has the custody of all papers and official doc¬ 
uments belonging to the society, unless some other 
person is designated for that purpose. 

Corresponding Secretary .—The corresponding 
secretary, when one is necessary, should do the 
corresponding for the society. 

Treasurer .—The duty of the treasurer is to hold 
all money, to keep accurate account of all receipts 
and expenditures of money, and to report, such 
matters to the society. 

He should pay out money only on the order of 
the society, signed by the president and secretary, 
being careful to secure receipts for all money paid 
out. 

All money should pass through the treasurer’s 
hands. 

When there are dues or pledges, the treasurer 
should collect them. And in the absence of a finan¬ 
cial committee, he should devise ways and means 
to increase the funds of the society. 

Rules for the Motion 

Before a, motion can be made, the member desir¬ 
ing to make the motion must obtain the floor. This 


86 THE) YOUNG PEOPLE ’S MEETING 


is done by his rising and addressing the chair by 
saying, “Mr. Chairman,” or, “Mr. President,” 
as may seem best. A member does not obtain the 
floor until recognized by the chair’s calling his 
name or nodding to him. 

In making a motion, do not say, “I move you,” 
or, ‘ ‘ I move the chair, ” or, “ I make a motion”; but 
say, “I move,” then state the motion' in a voice 
all can hear. 

In seconding a motion, say, “I second the mo¬ 
tion,” not, “I sustain,” or, “I support,” the mo¬ 
tion. It is not necessary for one who seconds a 
motion to wait to be recognized by the chair. 

The motion should be stated by the chair before 
being debated or put to a vote. If it is a debat¬ 
able question, the chair should call for remarks. 
If it is an undebatable question, the chair should 
put the question at once to the vote. 

No question should be debated that is not put to 
the house as a motion. When it is properly before 
the house, it may be debated. The chair should 
generally give the floor to the one whose voice he 
hears first, if tw!o or more address the chair at the 
same time. 

Generally a member can not make a motion while 
another has the floor. 

If a motion is made and silence follows, the chair 
should ask, “Is the motion seconded?” 

Questions and Debate 

A person can not speak a second time to a ques¬ 
tion if there are others who want the floor. 


SIMPLE RULES 


87 


When the assembly wish to close a debate they 
should call, 4 4 Question. ’ 9 

The call of 4 4 question” does not compel the chair 
to take a vote if there are persons who desire to 
speak to the question before the house. 

After a member has been assigned the floor he 
can not generally be interrupted either by the chair 
or by the assembly. 

The chair in giving his decision should say, 
4 4 The chair decides, ’ ’ and not, 44 1 decide. ’ ’ 

The secretary should stand while reading min¬ 
utes. 

A motion to adjourn should take this form, “I 
move that we adjourn,” stating the time for the 
next meeting. It is carried by a majority vote. 

When one or more subjects have been assigned 
to a certain day or hour, they become the 4 4 orders 
of the day.” When the time arrives for the ‘‘or¬ 
ders of the day, ’ ’ any one may call for them, and 
if no one objects they should be taken up at once. 
But if an objection is made, the chair should say, 
44 Shall the orders be taken up!” and a vote should 
be taken. If the vote is affirmative, all current bus¬ 
iness should be suspended, and the previous pro¬ 
gram adhered to. If the vote is negative, the 4 4 or¬ 
ders of the day” should be postponed until the 
business before the meeting is transacted. 

If a member notices anything in the procedure 
of the meeting which he thinks is out of order, or 
notices some one is not speaking to the question, he, 
addressing the chair, may say, 44 I rise to point of 


88 THEt YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


order.” The person called to order should be 
seated, and the chair should say, “ State your 
point of order,” and the chair decides whether the 
point is or is not well taken. If a member is not 
satisfied with the decision of the chair, he may rise 
and say, ‘ ‘ I appeal from the decision of the chair. ’ ’ 
This being seconded, the chair should give his rea¬ 
son for his decision, and say, “ Shall the decision 
of the chair be sustained?” If a majority vote in 
favor, the chair is sustained. In case of a tie the 
chair may vote. 

If the chair refuses to put a motion, properly 
made, to the vote, any member may ‘ ‘ appeal ’ ’ to 
the house, and then if the chair will not put it to 
vote, the person appealing may do it himself. Or 
the body can declare the chair vacant and elect an¬ 
other chairman. 

If a question is introduced that is unprofitable 
and out of place, the floor should be obtained as 
soon as possible, and the objection stated thus: “I 
object to the consideration of the question.” This 
objection does not need a seconding, and the chair 
should say at once, “Will the assembly consider 
the question?” If there is a two-thirds majority 
vote against the question, the question is dismissed, 
and it can not be brought up again during the ses¬ 
sion. 

When a member asks for the reading of a paper 
for information, the chair should direct that it be 
read, if there be no objections. If there is objec- 


SIMPLE RULES 


89 


lion, the objection should be put to vote without de¬ 
bate or amendment. 

The adopted rules of an assembly often inter¬ 
fere with the speedy transaction of business, and 
caui then be suspended. The form for a motion to 
suspend the rules is, “I move to suspend the rules, 
which interfere with, ’ ’ and then the object is stated. 
A two-thirds vote is necessary to suspend rules. 

Votes 

When a vote has been taken and is not satis¬ 
factory, a motion to reconsider the vote may be 
made, to bring the question before the house again. 
The motion to reconsider must come from one who 
voted on the prevailing side, the side obtaining the 
majority of votes. A question can be reconsidered 
but once. 

The forms of voting are by voice, by showing the 
Jiand, by rising, and by ballot. By voice is the 
usual form. The chair should say, “You have 
heard the motion: all in favor of the motion say 
aye.” Then, “Those opposed, no” (the negative 
should alwavs be called for unless the chair knows 
the vote to be unanimous). The chair will then 
announce the result. 

If the result of a vote is uncertain, any member 
can call for a “division.” The chair should say, 
“A division is called for; all in favor of the mo¬ 
tion stand and be counted. ’ ’ The secretary should 
count those standing. The chair should then say, 
“All opposed stand and be counted.” And he 
should announce the result after the count is made. 


90 THE! YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


The chair should be sure always to state what 
is the business next in order after every vote is 
announced. 

The maker of a question can vote against it, but 
can not speak against it. 

A member may change his vote at any time be¬ 
fore the decision of vote is announced by the chair, 
unless vote is made by ballot. 

The chair may vote when there is a tie, when 
his vote will make a tie, when the yeas and nays 
are called (voting by roll-call), and when the vote 
is by ballot, (When there is a tie, the question is 
lost unless the chair votes, which vote carries it. 
Hie should not vote in the negative, since the ques¬ 
tion is already lost.) 

When the vote is by ballot, the chair should write 
his ballot and cast it like the rest. 

The form for a motion for this class of vote is, 
4 ‘I move the yeas and nays.” If the motion car¬ 
ries a majority, the chair should say, 4 ‘The yeas 
and nays have been ordered. As the names are 
called those in favor of the adoption of the resolu¬ 
tion will say aye, those opposed will say no. ’ ’ The 
secretary will call the roll, each member answering 
aye, or no ; after commencement of roll-call, it is 
too late to be excused from voting. After all votes 
are recorded, the chair should announce the result. 
In the yeas and nays the chair should vote last, 
so as not tot influence others in voting. 

It is not necessary to vote on the minutes. After 
the reading of the minutes, the chair should say, 




SIMPLE RULES 


91 


“Are there any correctionsf’’ If there are any, 
they should be made at once. If not, the chair 
should say, ‘ ‘ If there are no objections the minutes 
stand approved. ” Amendments to the minutes 
should be voted upon. 

Officers may be elected by ballot or by acclama¬ 
tion. When officers are to be elected, the chair 
should rise and say, “How shall the election be 
held ? ’ ’ Some one should then move for the ballot, 
or acclamation. In electing by ballot, the chair 
should appoint tellers, who should distribute blank 
slips for balloting. 

Nominations may be made by informal ballot, by 
open convention, or by a nominating committee. 
The informal ballot is made by each person writ¬ 
ing upon his slip the name of his choice for the 
office. When these names are collected, it is called 
the “informal ballot,” because the formality of 
nomination in open convention or by the nominat¬ 
ing comjmittee has been omitted. A person can not 
be elected by informal ballot, as it is only one of 
the forms of nominating those to be voted on by 
ballot. 

Nominations in open convention are made by 
some one or more persons nominating candidates, 
whose names are to be voted upon. These nomina¬ 
tions need no seconding. After the voting, tellers 
collect and count the ballots. The chairman then 
gives the number of votes to which the convention 
is entitled, the whole number of votes cast, the 
number necessary for election, and then the num- 



92 


THEi YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEETING 


ber each candidate receives, beginning with the 
highest. A majority of all votes cast is necessary 
to election. 

Voting by acclamation is accomplished in this 
manner : In the nominating, the chair announces 
each name as he hears it; when the nominations 
close, they are voted upon by aye and no in the 
order they were first called by the chair. 

Committees may be nominated by open conven¬ 
tion or by a special committee, they may be appoint¬ 
ed by the chair, they may be elected by acclama¬ 
tion. The chair should not appoint a committee 
until a motion to that effect has been made and 
carried by the assembly. The first one nominated 
on a committee is temporary chairman of that 
committee. 
















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